MANY parents are struggling with what they believe is a gap in provision for children with autism – but there are charities and services in the area that aim to make a difference.

Autism Support Allerdale and Copeland has been offering free activities and support sessions to the public since 2014.

The charity’s chairman, Shirley Murphy, realised that there needed to be such a support group whilst working for another charity.

Events are now held regularly at Moorclose Community Centre after a National Lottery Community Fund donation of £40,000. The charity was able to get a room on the premises with the funds.

As well as offering support sessions for parents who care for a child with autism, the charity holds activity sessions for children, Shirley wants to raise awareness of the condition and let parents know that they are not alone.

She said: “We would like to have information packs in doctors’ surgeries.”

Support and activities in Allerdale are also organised by ICAAN, the Independent Community Autism Activity Network.

The ICAAN Hub is open for ages 10 and up every third Thursday in the month between 6pm and 8pm at the Victoria Hall, High Sand Lane in Cockermouth.

The evenings provide children with access to art, music, games, science projects and internet access.

Charities are receiving support from local businesses and councils. Allerdale Disability Association was picked this year as one of mayor Hilary Harrington’s chosen charities.

The Owl Blue children’s charity based in Maryport offers support to families of children with any kind of disability or illness.

On Thursday March 12, they hosted a talk at Energus in Lillyhall with Ruth Fidler, the leading expert on Pathological Demand Avoidance.

PDA is a condition that some people with autism have. Like many people on the spectrum, they experience anxiety about certain activities and events that to others may not be a problem.

However, people with PDA tend to avoid these activities and events as they experience the anxiety to an intense degree.

Charity administrator Nichola McDougall said: “It’s all about raising awareness and providing inclusion.”

Published author Ruth said: “I provide training and consultation across the UK, helping families and education establishments understand people with complex presentations of autism.”

The foundation for her career was working in specialist education.

“I still feel like I am a teacher, I’m just teaching adults.”

Single mother Leanne Singleton is looking to open her own business which will provide support to families of children with autism, through yoga.

Leanne decided to open the business in West Cumbria having seen the “huge” benefits on her severely autistic daughter Isabella, eight.

“I’ve sat in restaurants and wanted to retreat inside myself.”

Isabella has violent mood swings as a result of her anxiety, caused by her condition.

“She can have a three-hour meltdown. I basically said to myself ‘I’m not doing this anymore.’ I’ve started doing yoga with her in the mornings and family life is totally different.”

Leanne calls the benefits on her daughter “life changing”.

She has decided to take matters into her own hands as she too has seen a need of support for families with autistic children.

“If nobody is going to help us, we need to help each other. I did my training and it’s just absolutely snowballed, my inbox has been going crazy. I think there is a massive need in the area.”

And now she wants to pass the benefits on to other families.

Leanne added that yoga helps her with her own mental state and mood: “If you’re feeling anxiety from the situation you’re in, it’s going to have an affect on your child.”