A first of its kind, £20,000 autism day centre has been launched in the heart of Glasgow by Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and an inspiring Jordon Kirkwood, who has Asperger syndrome.
NASCentral is set to tackle the isolation and loneliness frequently experienced by people with autism. Cutting edge technology, including a multi-sensory suite and expert staff will help adults with the condition develop a range of vital social and independent living skills.
Heralded as a ‘breakthrough’ by local people with the condition and their families, the innovative centre is the brainchild of leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland and is funded by charitable donations.
NASCentral offers a first opportunity for many adults with autism in Greater Glasgow to access groups, activities and classes that teach and develop skills in cooking, communication and IT, managing money, using public transport, and accessing employment and education opportunities.
A new, on-site multi-sensory suite features ground-breaking therapeutic and educational sensory experiences. The suite can also be used to radically reduce severe anxiety and stress, frequently the experience of people who live with autism, as they struggle to live in a world that is difficult to understand and predict.
With museums, galleries, parks, libraries and higher and further education just walking distance from NASCentral, people using the centre will be encouraged to put their new social skills to use in Glasgow city centre.
For further information on NAS Scotland’s services contact:
Tel: 0141 221 8090
Email:
scotland...@nas.org.uk
Website:
www.autism.org.uk/scotlandservices
Jordon Kirkwood (21) is planning to regularly use NASCentral’s services. He said, “I think NASCentral is a great idea. I want to keep building my confidence and my skills, and it’s brilliant that I can walk out of NASCentral, into the centre of Glasgow and start putting what I’m learning into practice straight away.
I think a lot of people with autism want to be out and about more. But they can be nervous of the reaction they might get from the public. Many people don’t know what autism is and can think you’re behaving a bit oddly. Sometimes you can get looks and comments, when really you’re just doing your best to understand what’s going on around you.
I would love to see places like NASCentral in more Scottish cities, so that more people with autism can start to feel like they really belong to their home city.“
Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, said, “I am delighted to be part of the launch of NASCentral, and feel privileged to meet local young people like Jordon, who have so much talent, determination and potential. NASCentral is an important step forward in recognising some of the challenges and uniqueness experienced by adults who have autism in Glasgow and offering the best possible support.
“Glasgow is a great place to live, work and study, and I very much look forward to more Glaswegians with autism getting the very best from their city.”
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