About SAFE

Essex has one of the largest populations of people affected by Aspergers syndrome in the country. Aspergers syndrome is often poorly understood by health, education and social services professionals and as a result families are left isolated, dealing with unusual and difficult behaviour with little or no support.

In 1997 a group of parents of children with Aspergers syndrome got together to try and do something to improve the situation for themselves and other families in Essex and started the parent support group ‘Supporting Aspergers Families in Essex’ (SAFE).

Supporting families across Essex

Since our first meeting in April 1997 we are now in contact with over 500 families across the county. We have two parent support groups meeting regularly in Colchester and Southend. Our membership is not restricted to these areas, but is drawn from Essex as a whole, the southern half of Suffolk and the northern fringes of London.

In addition to monthly meetings, we maintain a telephone helpline service, we run regular social skills training programmes, an adult support group, youth clubs, social events and we campaign for better services and understanding for people with Asperger’s syndrome and their families around the county.

Empowered Families

As a parent support group we have many years experience of the problems faced by individuals and families of those with Aspergers Syndrome (AS) and related disorders from childhood to adulthood. Our members include adults with Asperger Syndrome and families of people with AS. The majority of SAFE’s membership are families who have at least one child affected with AS or an autistic spectrum disorder. The combined experience of our members is our greatest asset, together we empower each other to enable our members to access education and employment and to live fulfilling lives in a social world.

Campaigning for better understanding

Since 1997 we have been working with the education, health, employment, mental health, police and social services in Essex with the aim of increasing awareness of the issues facing individuals and adults with Aspergers syndrome, improving provision and persuading them to direct some resources to their Asperger constituents. We give training sessions and attend many local meetings where we feel the Asperger case should be aired. Our aim is to support and encourage the professionals who have to deal with Asperger children and adults, to help them to understand the condition and to develop effective strategies. We support early diagnosis (which is very difficult to achieve for many of our members) and adequate classroom support during all years of education.

Making a difference

There is a long way to go, Aspergers families are isolated, children with Aspergers syndrome face many difficulties at school and adults with Aspergers Syndrome also feel isolated and often find it very difficult to manage the complicated social environment of work. We need your help to make things better.

You can help us by sending a donation or by joining us as a member. to find out more about activities in your area.

Fact File

1 in 70 people have some form of Autism
The annual cost of autistic disorders in the UK is at least 1 billion pounds
35% of people with Aspergers also suffer from some form of depression
Most people with Aspergers have higher than average intelligence

Make a difference

You can help us by sending a donation or by joining us as a member. Contact us to find out more about activities in your area.

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