Parents pack out East Grinstead restaurant to raise awareness of autism
Thursday, March 28, 2013
A charity curry was held in support of an "invisible disability".
Parents and children packed into Nizam, in East Grinstead High Street, for the meal which raised more than £2,000 for Step By Step – a specialist school for children with autism.
The event was also designed to provide a better understanding of the condition prior to Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday, April 2.
Parents of autistic children face a daily challenge and issues can include shouting, crying, sleepless nights and developing specific routines.
Meridian FM presenter Alice Gordon-Clark, whose 9-year-old son, Joel, attends Step By Step, said: "I think it's very important to raise awareness of autism, because some people aren't aware of the signs of autism. It's a hidden disability.
"When Joel was younger, people thought he was a bit naughty, but that was obviously his autism.
"He joined the cubs and has done really well. Joel's behaviour is so good now because of the school, but autism can also be treated with diets and therapy."
East Grinstead mother-of-two Amanda Clark, whose 10-year-old son Archie goes to another autistic school, Manor Green in Crawley, said the condition can be very unpredictable.
She said: "Archie is very bright and in lots of ways, he's just like any normal 10-year-old boy.
"But he can't keep himself safe. He might run out in the road. I have to have him by my side at all times because it's like constantly being on a knife edge. His behaviour is very unpredictable.
"Our lives are constantly affected. We can't really go on holiday because as soon as he's out of his routine, he can go on a downward spiral. It's trying to get people to understand that this is an invisible disability and that's what makes it so difficult.
"We are not irresponsible parents; we are brilliant parents struggling with children that have very specific needs."
The curry lunch, on Sunday, March 17, was suggested by Alice and organised by the Step By Step Parents' Association. Committee members are due to meet with the Sharpthorne school next term to discuss how best to spend the money on equipment for the children.
Both Alice and the school staff thanked everyone for their support.
Parents and children packed into Nizam, in East Grinstead High Street, for the meal which raised more than £2,000 for Step By Step – a specialist school for children with autism.
The event was also designed to provide a better understanding of the condition prior to Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday, April 2.
Parents of autistic children face a daily challenge and issues can include shouting, crying, sleepless nights and developing specific routines.
Meridian FM presenter Alice Gordon-Clark, whose 9-year-old son, Joel, attends Step By Step, said: "I think it's very important to raise awareness of autism, because some people aren't aware of the signs of autism. It's a hidden disability.
"When Joel was younger, people thought he was a bit naughty, but that was obviously his autism.
"He joined the cubs and has done really well. Joel's behaviour is so good now because of the school, but autism can also be treated with diets and therapy."
East Grinstead mother-of-two Amanda Clark, whose 10-year-old son Archie goes to another autistic school, Manor Green in Crawley, said the condition can be very unpredictable.
She said: "Archie is very bright and in lots of ways, he's just like any normal 10-year-old boy.
"But he can't keep himself safe. He might run out in the road. I have to have him by my side at all times because it's like constantly being on a knife edge. His behaviour is very unpredictable.
"Our lives are constantly affected. We can't really go on holiday because as soon as he's out of his routine, he can go on a downward spiral. It's trying to get people to understand that this is an invisible disability and that's what makes it so difficult.
"We are not irresponsible parents; we are brilliant parents struggling with children that have very specific needs."
The curry lunch, on Sunday, March 17, was suggested by Alice and organised by the Step By Step Parents' Association. Committee members are due to meet with the Sharpthorne school next term to discuss how best to spend the money on equipment for the children.
Both Alice and the school staff thanked everyone for their support.
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