More support for autism in Jersey

The support available to people with autism in Jersey got a boost today with the opening of a brand new centre.

Autism Jersey currently works with around three hundred islanders diagnosed with the condition which affects the way people socialise and interract.

Their St Helier headquarters is the first centre of its kind in the Channel Islands.

Among those they help is 15 year old Leon Fromager who has Aspergers Syndrome. He wants more islanders to understand the condition.

Leon told us: "I think lots of people don't understand, cause I don't know when it was discovered but it wasn't long ago. It's slowly getting there but I think this is why we need lots of people to understand it more, to help others."

Helping Leon on his mission is Jules Miller, his befriender from Autism Jersey, who goes out with him, spends time at the computer with him, and has become a real pal.

She said: "It's really rewarding, it gives the individual with autism, their siblings and families a break, to get out and do fun stuff, that's what it's all about, is having fun."

Today the work of the staff and volunteers at Autism Jersey got a huge boost with the official opening of their new HQ in St Helier.

It's a dream come true for parents who've spent two decades making it a reality.

Heather McLelland from Autism Jersey said: "We started up as a group of parents that just said one day we're going to have a purpose built place so people with autism have somewhere to go and we're going to provide services for people who are trained in autism and stuff, and here were are, and it's just sinking in today that this is the dream that we've sat around and said one day one day."