A Deal mum who has a son with autism hopes to help raise the profile of the condition now she has become branch officer of an east Kent help group.

Katy Jenner, 35, is working among a committee of dedicated people at the Deal & Dover branch of the National Autistic Society.

The organisation has been targeting Dover for some years, but with the recent launch of a new fun day in Deal, it aims to put more help on the doorsteps of people in the town.

Katy said: “I really want to make the local community aware, as autism is a disability that is not visual and someone with autism is often classed as a naughty child or mentally unstable adult.”

Her personal goal is to overturn negative and uninformed social attitudes when people encounter someone with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), be that a child or adult. Parents, shop keepers and restaurant staff can exacerbate matters by tutting and showing little tolerance.

It can lead to conflict or embarrassment and ultimately makes autistic people and their families feel isolated.

“Until we knew Oliver was autistic, we as a family did not really know what the condition was.” - Katy Jenner.

That is why the monthly fun days are so important. They are designed for children with ASD or those who are awaiting a diagnosis and their families who need to share their experiences and help each other. It follows the tried and tested formula of the successful Dover fun days, with under-10s in one room and over-10s in another. The first Deal event was on Saturday, March 14, at St Leonard’s Church Hall in Rectory Road.

In England, the National Autistic Society campaigns for help regarding work and benefits, health and education.

On a local level, the role of committee members is to raise the profile of ASD and raise funds. Their slogan is “accept difference, not indifference”.

Katy knows awareness is the only way forward to get people the courtesy they deserve when they are out in the community. But she understands all too well that not everyone knows enough.

She said: “Until we knew Oliver was autistic, we as a family did not really know what the condition was.”

The diagnosis was a relief that then meant “all the doors were opened” in a medical and educational sense.

If you think your child has autism, your first point of call is your GP or paediatrician.

If you would like to help, volunteer or raise cash and awareness for the branch, call 07717 818680 or visit www.nasbranch.org.uk/doveranddeal

For further reading visit www.autism.org.uk

For a video insight into autism, visit http://tinyurl.com/pvbnk86