Falkirk Autistic Bairns is a Registered Charity in Scotland: SC042341
Charity and Family Support club
Falkirk Autistic Bairns is a charity and family support club based in the Falkirk area of Scotland. The group was formed in 2011 and was born out of an absense of suitable recreational facilities available for children with autistic spectrum disorder and aspergers syndrome. It was also found that there was a severe lack of information and opportunities available for parents who had to deal with the day to day issues of raising an autistic child.
The Family Support club
The Family Support club itself was set up in 2011 and has up to 30 children attending on a weekly basis. We have a variety of facilities available for the children to enjoy including a large physical play area, sensory room, learning tablets, a WII and various arts and crafts materials. We also bake various items with the children on a weekly basis. The children can feel free to join in any of the activities or they can play independently - it's totally up to them. It also gives the children the opportunity to socialise with other children which is something that most autistic children struggle with.
We also have a small library of help books and information available for parents or carers to read as well as teas, coffees and a much needed support network. Parents and carers can relax and have a chat about the day to day challenges they are facing with their child's condition.
The support, information and friendship that is offered to the parents and carers is invaluable and can make a huge difference in people's lives. It is like the difference between, feeling like you are totally alone in the world to feeling happy and comforted in the knowledge that there are others experiencing the same issues who can offer much need practical and emotional support.
We always welcome new members to the support group - please see terms and conditions of membership.
If you would like to bring your child/children to the Family Support Group we operate term time from the Tryst Community and Education Centre, Larbert FK5 3BA.
Siblings are welcome and we request a small donation of £1 per child per week which covers a snack and juice while at the club.
We operate during the following times:
Saturday 1pm until 3pm
Many of our parents, after their child's diagnosis have felt alone and stranded without any knowledge about their child's condition - where they can go to for help or even just talk about the unique things their child will do on a daily basis. It can also be an emotional time for the immediate and outer family to find out that the child is "mentally disabled" and they may not know what to say or how to provide practical parenting advice as all the regular "rules of parenting" no longer apply.
We currently have Charity status and regularly host fund-raising events in the local area to raise awareness of autism and to generate further funds to allow our group to function.
Our pictures to the right show some of the arts and crafts and baking activities we regularly carry out at the weekly support group.
