Lothian Autistic Society

About Us

Mission Statement

To make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and their families and carers by providing accessible high quality autism-specific support services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Our Aims

Lothian Autistic Society is committed to meaningful participation and choice in all aspects of life for children and young people on the autism spectrum and their families.  LAS aims to accomplish its ongoing mission through close collaboration with a successful network of members and supporters.

Lothian Autistic Society will seek to

Provide services

• autism specific playschemes within the age range 5 – 16 years (up to 18 if in full-time education), which recognise equality of opportunity and enable children on the autism spectrum to flourish as individuals and not have to conform to social pressures;

• respite services, facilitated and developed in liaison with local social work departments, to allow families to participate in community life and assist children to stay in their families;

• opportunities for parent to parent support and carers via monthly meetings, social events, via regular and informative e-mail bulletins and electronic newsletters;

• autism-free days for siblings of children who have an ASC

• activity trips to residential centres in the October school holiday break;

• social clubs;

• a comprehensive information and resource service for families and carers and professionals

• fundraising activities to provide resources for the expansion and improvement of services;

Promote awareness

• provide autism-specific training for a variety of client groups to raise awareness of ASC, improve standards of care and enable inclusion;

• build, develop and strengthen partnership working to ensure best practice and quality of care and broaden opportunities for funding partnerships and services;

• promote inclusion by developing group and social skills, which support integration into mainstream activities and settings.

Inform Policy and Practice

•  inform and respond to local and national policy and practice;

•  promote the rights and needs of children and young people with an ASC.

Our Guiding Values and Principles

Lothian Autistic Society is committed to the following values and principles in all aspects of our work:

1. Individual, parental and guardian choice to assure that children and young  people with an autism spectrum condition are treated with dignity and respect;

2. Partnership with carers, professionals and other agencies;

3. Social inclusion and participation;

4. Child protection;

5. Equal opportunities;

6. Mutual respect for others both in and outside the organisation;

7. Quality and Best Value;

8. Openness and accountability.

Our Members

We welcome families from across Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian who have children or young people with an autism spectrum condition.  The whole family joins as a member of Lothian Autistic Society and we aim to offer services to support all. 

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Lothian Autistic Society is inspected regularly by the Care Commission, to view our latest report please visit: http://www.carecommission.com/

Copies of our Child Protection Policy are available from the LAS office on request.

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Scottish Charity No SCO 21439
Company Limited by Guarantee SC230855
© 2005 Lothian Autistic Society