BEN’S STORY

Ben is a 23 year old autistic adult. He has been involved with his local Autism NI Support Group for 20 years, alongside his mum Anne Hayward.

“My mum brought me along to the Autism NI Lisburn Support Group when I was 3 years old, which is nearly 20 years ago. Sometimes I would find going to different places quite difficult, but being part of the Support Group has helped me do this. I have been given opportunities to go on lots of trips, and I even got involved with badminton which led to me being part of the Special Olympics Badminton team.

It is important that people become more accepting of autistic people and have more patience to understand us. This would help me feel more accepted, and would give me, and many others, the opportunity to have a better future in the world. If there was more training for people and for employers, you would see that I’m really not that different.”

Ben’s mum, Anne Hayward, has been volunteering with Autism NI’s Lisburn Support Group for nearly 20 years said, “Parents often feel isolated, so I wanted to meet other parents, and it was great to find a Support Group that supported me as well as my son. The best thing is knowing that I can pick up the phone and speak to someone for advice and support. It’s so important that wider society learns more about autism.”

Autism NI wants to build an inclusive society for all autistic people, and yet recognise that there is still work to be done. Together we can increase discussion and promote better understanding of autistic people who are part of the autism community in Northern Ireland.

To get involved in a local Support Group in your area, please visit www.autismni.org/support-groups