New one stop shop for people with autism and their families in Ayrshire

A new resource to tackle a lack of support for people with autism in Ayrshire has been launched.

The £300,000 autism advice and information centre for Ayrshire families opened in Kilmarnock to address severe challenges experienced by local people when accessing support.

Many people with the condition and their families struggle to access the right support at the right time

Run by the National Autistic Society Scotland (NASS), the service offers a wide range of support and information services from a single, local location for people affected by autism throughout north, south and east Ayrshire.

An estimated 58,000 people with autism live in Scotland, nearly 4,000 are thought to live in Ayrshire and 400 in Kilmarnock.

Robert MacBean, policy and campaigns officer for NASS, said the right support at the right time can make the difference between loneliness and isolation and real quality of life.

He added: “But many people with the condition and their families struggle to access the right support at the right time, are passed from one organisation to the next without their needs being adequately met or simply discover that local support services in their area are extremely limited.

“The Kilmarnock service will have a flexible approach that adapts and responds to local need. Wherever possible, it will work with local professionals and volunteers to help ensure their sustainable future within local communities.”