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PACT
Who Are We?
Parents of Autistic Children Together, or PACT as we are otherwise known, is
a voluntary organisation that aims to support the needs of families, carers and
friends of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders living in Barking & Dagenham, Havering
and Redbridge.
PACT was formed in response to a lack of specialist service provision in this
part of North East London/Essex.
Since our formation in 1995, we have provided a fully integrated activity programme
for families of Autistic children, offering activities which are generally inaccessible
due to lack of suitability, inadequate support and absence of specialised facilities.
In addition, we offer advice and information on the many issues which affect
Autistic individuals - ranging from welfare benefits and education advice to dietary
information and behaviour management.
Mission Statement.
"To empower young people on the Autistic Continuum by the provision of advice, support,
information, training and educational activities, aiding them towards equal opportunities & social
integration: and by the provision of the same services to their carers, families and friends,
enable them to assist the young people to achieve that end"
Our Services.
What Is Way2Say?
The Way2Say group supports families living in Barking & Dagenham and the aim of the group
is to deliver Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to children (aged 2-4) and their
families through a multi-agency team. Way2Say supports the implementation of PECS through
parent groups and home visits. The group meets fortnightly for 12 weeks to discuss principles,
share ideas and problem solve. On alternate weeks two co-workers visit the child and family
at home to practice PECS, discuss strategies and leave resources. Way2Say Co-workers are
recruited for a range of services including health, education, social services and the
voluntary sector. They are a multi-disciplinary group which includes health visitors,
community nursery nurses, portage workers, speech & language therapists, parents and inclusion
staff, all co-workers have attended the two day PECS training run by Pyramid Educational
Consultants. See the following website PECS
for further information.
The Way2Say group provides support for children with communication difficulties through:
- Practical guidance on the use of PECS with young children for parent/carers and practitioners
- Visits to support the use of PECS in the home and /or pre-school setting
- Access to practical resources e.g. pictures/symbols, specialised resources for loan
- Opportunities for parent/carers and professionals to meet together and support each other
Who We Are.
Trustees
Chair - Joy Palmer
Vice Chair - Delia Rowley
Treasurer - John McKernan
Secretary - Fatima Arghandawi
Member - Doreen Stevens
Member - Mick Hitchin
Member - Marcella Cooper
Member - Steve Withers
Chris Gillbanks - Director
Maggs Donovan - Family Services Manager
The role of the family services manager is to support families to access the best
provision for their children with ASD.
Lynn Chapman - Administrator/Way2Say Coordinator
The role of the administrator is to promote the services that we provide and maintain
the efficient running of the office.
and
The role of the Way2Say Coordinator is to support families in Barking & Dagenham with
young children who have complex Speech & Communication difficulties.
Keith Smith - Children Services Manager
The role of the Children Services Manager is to arrange activities to empower
young people to flourish as individuals and be valued members of society.
Support Staff & Volunteers
We have a number of staff & volunteers who support us within our various projects whose roles
are to support the young people in gaining confidence and assisting them in social activities aiming
for their independence.
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