Group focus on family support

The mother of a severely autistic child is setting up a support group for parents and carers.

Mrs Denise Masding’s oldest son, Jaden Davis (6) has autism and Mrs Masding, of Coddington, thought there was a need for a group in the Newark area where parents could share advice and information.

“Jaden’s been diagnosed for four years now and I haven’t come across a support group in Newark. I thought there was definitely room for one,” she said.

“It’s a chance to for people to get to know other parents, share information that could be beneficial to anybody else and have a chat.”

She said the group would be informal and flexible so people could come with or without their children, as often or as little as they liked.

Jaden was two when he was diagnosed with severe autism and learning disabilities.

Mrs Masding (31) said: “His development was very delayed from when he was about six months old so we knew that something wasn’t quite right.

“I was distraught at the time. It took me a while to come to terms with it.

“Although I obviously love him to bits, it makes life quite difficult because he doesn’t speak and he’s still in nappies and we don’t know how long he will be or if he’s ever going to speak.”

Jaden attended a local school until last year when Mrs Masding and her husband, Mr James Masding (33) an IT consultant, secured a place for him at Sutherland House School, Ravenshead, which specialises in teaching autistic children.

Since then they have noticed a significant improvement in his responsiveness, calmness and awareness.

Mrs Masding, who has a younger son, Daniel (20 months) said: “It’s difficult because we want Jaden to be as independent as he can be in the future but on the other hand we know that independence is going to be very limited.

“As parents you have to come to terms with the fact that your child may need to be cared for for the rest of their lives.”

Depending on the popularity of the support group Mrs Masding, a volunteer at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Newark, hopes to organise trips and activities.

She said: “I think children with autism generally do miss out on things like that because it’s difficult to know what they can appreciate or what they will enjoy.

“It is quite stressful taking them out if they have a sensory problem with noisy or crowded places.”

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, July 22 from 9.30am to 10.30am in the old Coddington Village Hall where refreshments will be provided.

Parents and carers are asked to bring £1.50 to cover the cost of hiring the hall and to bring their child’s favourite toy until the group can provide toys.

For more information contact Mrs Masding on 07976 305233.