FREE Credit card sized Autism Alert Cards

for under 18’s – see below if you want a card for an adult

For those with a  child with autism you may already been in a position where you have had to explain the nature of autism and its associated behaviours.

The FREE credit card sized Autism Alert Card can be carried at all times and can be displayed if you or your child/young person are in a situation where you cannot easily explain about the condition or you need assistance.

The card will also assist any police or emergency service to identify that they are engaging with someone who has autism.

The Oxfordshire Alert Cards gives:

• Basic information about autism.
• Cardholders name.
• Names and telephone numbers of 2 emergency contacts (this could be a family member, carer or friend).

Ways to use the Card

• Carry your card whenever you go out
• Show your alert card when you need help or to give an explanation
• Show the card to NHS staff, police etc to tell them your child/you are on the spectrum
• Show the card to relevant people when you need assistance.

To obtain one of these cards

We have secured some funding, so currently the card is completely free and we provide the postage and packaging (this may change in the future).

Please email us at info@afso.org.uk and include the following information:

Name of Child

Child’s Date of birth

Your name

Your Postal Address (including postcode)

District Council area: SODC, VOWH, Cherwell, West or City

For more information     Oxfordshire Autism Alert Card 

If you want a card for an adult, please contact: OAADSS, Autism at Kingwood, Baptist House Office, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8XD

A message to our Community:

Coronavirus and AFSO

Dear All

During the Coronavirus pandemic we are still here to support you. We are offering our “lifeline” advice, support and information via technology such as the phone, email, Skype, Zoom etc.

The office in Abingdon is currently closed, so please do contact us by phone or email if you have questions or need support, and we will be happy to help.

We are very active on social media – so please do Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter using the links below.

Sadly all face-to-face activities are suspended until further notice. This includes youth groups, courses, and Easter holiday activities.

We will continue to monitor and review the situation in accordance with national guidance.

Keep safe and well, in body and mind.

Best wishes

The AFSO team

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childrenintouch.afs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/autismAFS

***NEWS***

We have moved! We haven’t had a chance to update all our referral and application forms yet, but please use the new contact details.

Our new address is:

Autism Family Support Oxfordshire

c/o Abingdon Community Support Service

Crabtree Place

Off Audlett Drive

Abingdon

OX14 3GD

Our new telephone number is: 01235 754700 

There will be a delay in replying to all emails and phone messages while we settle in.  We apologise for any inconvenience.

A new space for Autism 

Our new premises will be a fabulous new space for autism in Oxfordshire. We will soon be sending you more information about this exciting development and how it can help you.

Please support us

Over the next few months we will be fundraising to be able to do more for our children and families – because the demand for our work is so high and we want to continue to be there for all of you.

We would live you to help us with fundraising and volunteering, and will send you more details about how to get involved shortly. We are looking for enthusiastic Casual Support Workers to assist with our Holiday Activities for 8-17 year olds with Asperger Syndrome/higher functioning autism.  You will support young people to participate in activities, assist with running activities, and facilitate social skills and friendships.

For details of what we do and new referrals

• To refer a new child/young person: You can still make referrals by downloading a form from this website and sending it back to us at the new postal address, or emailing it back to info@afso.org.uk Please note that processing of new referrals will be delayed during our office move.
• General information: please look at this website
• Courses: to enquire about our courses, … Read more »

Summer Activities are back …..

Summer is on its way…lockdown restrictions are easing, and our Activities are back and looking a bit more how they used to!

Join us this summer for fun and friendships and maybe try something new.

Check out our
Summer Newsletter
for full details

LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS

Monday 28th June 2021

Click the Newsletter and Application Form links below
(opens in separate  PDF and Word documents):

2021 AFSO Summer Newsletter

2021 AFSO Summer Application Form

If you have any queries about the activities please contact our Activities Coordinator Georgina Palmer on: georgina@afso.org.uk or 07947 349655

If your child can not access our Activities – please see the Family Information Directory
which lists other organisations providing activities during school holidays, as well a lot more information you may find useful.

Autism and Behaviours we find Challenging 2021

Back by popular demand!  

This is a repeat of previous courses, and is intended for parents who have not attended a previous course.

A 6-week course for parents of children with a diagnosis of being on the
Autism Spectrum and living in Oxfordshire

Six Tuesdays ALL Sessions must be attended

 8, 15,22,29 June, 6 & 13 July

 9:30am-12:00 online – zoom

£40 per place

The closing date is Wednesday 12th May 2021

We will be looking at many aspects of challenging behaviour using both behaviour management and therapeutic approaches.

The course will be facilitated by Becky Loveless and Sam Burkin from Autism Family Support Oxfordshire.  There will also be input from guest speakers, including a young adult on the autism spectrum.

The course will be centred on the needs of the family, and conducted in a warm and friendly manner so that we can share both our wonderful and difficult experiences of  autism.

Please note that you are expected to attend all 6 sessions of the course. You will also need to have internet connection, a device that has a webcam (a desktop or laptop computer are best, but the course can be accessed on a tablet or mobile) and private space so that you can access the course, We strongly recommend the use of headphones to ensure confidentiality.

Some group work is part of the course and participants will be asked to have their videos on.

Participants of this course MUST be:

• Parent/carers of children who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
• Parents/carers who have made a referral to AFSO. Referral forms can be … Read more »