ABOUT US The Isabella Trust is a charity which has been formed as a direct result of our recent experiences with our daughter Isabella and over the last 20 years with our son Daniel. Daniel is 20 years old and received a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when he was 8 years old. ASD is a lifelong developmental disability which affects the way a person communicates and interacts with others. More than 1 in every 100 people have ASD. Isabella is 3 years old and also has a diagnosis of ASD. In addition to ASD Isabella has Sensory Processing Difficulties (SPD) which makes her daily life difficult and challenging for her and us. SPD is difficulties in how a person receives and uses information via the senses which then makes it hard for them to function in daily life. Sensory perceptions of a person with ASD can cause them difficulty in processing sounds, sights and smells this can often result in the person becoming stressed or anxious and possibly feel physical pain. This can then result in the person with SPD exhibiting challenging behaviours. Many people who have ASD will also have SPD. In order for us to fully understand the full extent of Isabellas sensory difficulties and enable us to support her with appropriate strategies and equipment a sensory assessment was required. Unfortunately we were informed by a Local Authority Occupational Therapy Services that the Local Authority in our area is not providing a sensory service at present. As a result we had to pay privately for a sensory assessment for Isabella in order to gain advice regarding appropriate strategies, changes to her environment, sensory stimulation and play which would meet Isabellas individual sensory needs. Due to the barriers and difficulties we have experienced in ensuring Isabellas needs are met we wanted to support other parents and carers experiencing the same or similar difficulties in accessing appropriate support for children with ASD and SPD. The result is The Isabella Trust. Whilst The Isabella Trust is in the very early stages of development our aim is to raise awareness and provide information about the needs of children with ASD and SPD and the issues facing their families. Also we aim to support families and carers with information and advice that will directly address the needs of children with ASD and SPD. The Isabella Trust currently provides the following: Access to Sensory Assessments Access to Sensory Clinic Appointments Childrens Sensory Activities Short courses on the following: - An Introduction to Autism - Sensory Processing Difficulties - Understanding Behaviour - Eating difficulties - Managing Anger - Supporting Siblings - WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT With your help and support The Isabella Trust can continue to raise the funds needed to continue to provide support, access to sensory assessments, clinics and activities for children with ASD and SPD. And also enable us to continue to provide courses to parents and carers. HOW YOU CAN HELP PLEASE DONATE Send a cheque or postal order made payable to The Isabella Trust. Donate clothes, shoes, accessories, books, Cd’s, DVD’s, games, furniture, bric a brac etc to sell in our shop. PLEASE GET INVOLVED Please take part in our fund raising events. PLEASE ORGANISE Organise a run, fun event, raffle, bag packing event, collection or any other fund raising event. Contact us and we will promote the event via sponsorship forms, posters, tickets etc. PLEASE INFORM Tell your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues anybody you can think of and ask them to support us. The Isabella Trust 60-64 Townsend Lane THANKYOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:43:31 +0000