Supporting familiy members to develop necessary knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the child with autism in their family through:

• monthly open morning /Mums, Dads and Toddler Group
• parent workshops/crèche
• reference library
• toy library
• informal meeting place for parents and extended family members
• Sibsklub (sibling support)
• Grandparents Group
• Resource Centre

Early Intervention Programme

• a small visually structured playgroup for four children
• 3 x three-hour sessions per week
• a high adult/child ratio
• an assessment of the child's needs
• we aim to support children to move into their local playgroups
• practical support in the home

Assessment nursery; Where there is a query regarding a diagnosis, we will provide a six week assessment. This may involve sessions at Forward Steps , home and other settings as deemed appropriate. This will include

• two hour assessment session/one afternoon per week
• individual advice and support to family

Summer activity club; the programme runs for four weeks from mid July - mid August. Additional temporary staff are employed to assist with the programme. Activities away from the centre include:

• walks to the local park
• picnics
• trips e.g. to the seaside/zoo/fire staton/W5/farm
• Bangor Pickie Pool
• arts and crafts

Joint working with therapists; the involvement of Speech and Language and Occupational Therapists in assessment and drawing up the children's individual developmental programmes is crucial. Therapists work alongside Forward Steps staff to create the right programme for each child.

Student and volunteer placements; practice placements are provided to professional students and volunteers to enhance their skills and knowledge in supporting children with autism.

Website and message board; the staff at Forward steps would like to be in a position to assist all children and families they come into contact with. This is not possible due to the demand for the service and the size of the team. The website whilst not a substitute, will hopefully go some small way to providing an alternative source of support for many more families of children with autism.