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.
We aim to support children and young people with a range of Autism Spectrum Conditions including autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
Past
Lothian Autistic Society was founded in 1992 by a small group of parents of children with autism, who were concerned about education for their children. It soon became apparent that education was not the only concern that they shared. They found themselves in an environment where there was a lack of understanding on the part of most professionals and the public, regarding the nature of autism and the effect it has on families, carers and the children themselves.
The following year Lothian Autistic Society was registered as a charity and began its work through the efforts of a volunteer committee of parents of children with autism. Membership grew rapidly across Edinburgh, West Lothian and Midlothian. The committee worked to create an organisation that could provide its members - fellow parents and carers of children with autism, and the children themselves - with help and support to meet their needs, and address their concerns.
Present
Our emphasis is on play and social opportunities for children with ASCs and respite for their parents. We provide access to funded one-to-one care for their child, or access to special needs holiday playschemes for children with autism - giving children some high quality holiday play time, and parents reliable and regular respite. Funding is received from the City of Edinburgh, West Lothian and Midlothian Councils, although we still rely on public support to help fund our vital work.
Parents have always remained the driving force behind LAS, giving leadership to its activities and direction to its work. We now have over 300 family members and interested party members and provide services which are geared to support the whole family.
We seek to:
- Provide services
- Promote awareness
- Inform Policy and practice