LOFFA
ABAILE Autism Support are a self help group of parents in the Louth/Meath area who formed in April 2002 to help children and young people with Autism realise their full potential by facilitating an education using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Our main Objectives are :
• Education : to provide an ABA education for children with Autism and related communication disorders in their local area.
• Parent Support : to provide help, guidance and support to parents and families affected by Autism.
• Awareness : to promote a greater knowledge and understanding of Autism
Drogheda ABACAS School which opened on March 10 2003 was the first major project for ABAILE Autism Support. 18 Children attend this first phase of the school. The Drogheda ABACAS School adheres to the highest standards of worldwide best practice of ABA education.
ABAILE also aims to provide practical support to home programmes through the sharing of physical resources, teaching materials, training and experience. We have run a number of ABA and PECs training courses which have been attended by over 300 people. We have a very active monthly support group meeting on the 3rd Wed of each month in Donegans , Monasterboice where all are welcome.
Parent Support ABAILE aims to provide help, guidance and support to parents of Children with Autism. While concentrating on those working with ABA home programmes we would like to offer assistance to any parent. ABAILE members meet regularly and also phone and email with any information, news or ideas.
Advocacy : we provide advocacy services to families in this area helping with form filling , appeals and lobbying for services on their behalf as well as attending meetings with parents to lend support.
Youth Club : we run two Saturday Youth Clubs for young people with Autism and Asperger Syndrome from many different schools. These have been described by one parent as “ saving her teenagers life” during the last year by giving her a social outlet where she is totally accepted and welcomed.
National ABAILE is a member of and sits on the Board of Directors of Irish Autism Action , the national umbrella group with over 30 member groups. We advocate and lobby on a national level to ensure better service provision to people with Autism.
Contact Us – If you would like to get on our mailing/text list please contact 087 2407431. Or please contact us on the emails below or on our website www.droghedaabacas.com or www.thevalentinesball.com
Laois
Offaly Families for Autism (LOFFA) is a local support group run by
parents for parents and families of children with Autism.
We exist
to provide support, encouragement and information for those whose
lives
are affected by Autism, by sharing information and experiences, offering
an understanding environment and the opportunity to meet others living
in
similar circumstances.
We actively campaign to raise awareness
of Autism in our area and seek health,
educational and support services
that are appropriate to meet the needs of our
children.
Our
group provides financial assistance to many families who are forced,
through
lack of services from the HSE to obtain private therapies for
their children.
In addition, our group organises play dates for
our younger children, 10 Pin Bowling
and Autism Friendly Cinema
screenings for our families, so that our children and their
siblings get
the opportunity to meet children like themselves. This summer we have
added canoeing and swimming lessons to our list of activities so that
our children have
the opportunity to experience some activities that
other children of their age do.
We have been in existence for
almost 10 years and currently support over 190 families
but our
membership in Laois & Offaly continues to rise.
Our meeting
are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month (September to June)
alternating between the Tullamore Court Hotel and Portlaoise Heritage
Hotel,
and new members are always welcome.
To contact LOFFA:
Email: info@loffa.ie / edel.shaw@live.ie
Website: www.loffa.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000672384967
Call our secretary Edel on 087 2339572
Source Page: http://www.autismireland.ie/member-groups/601/
