26th June 2007

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Mikey Byrne with his sister Megan

Researchers at the University of Ulster in partnership with PEAT (Parents Education As Autism Therapists) today launched the first ever multi-media support package for parents and carers of children with Autism.

The package will provide training and guidance to parents who have a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  

It has been designed and produced by parents in conjunction with Dr Stephen Gallagher and Dr Mickey Keenan from the University’s School of Psychology to provide information about ASD and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). 

‘Simple Steps’ contains a hard copy brochure about PEAT and ABA, which is supported by a DVD and a CD-ROM.   

ABA is the applied branch of the science of behaviour and, when applied to Autism, it has been proven to bring about socially significant change both for the children and their families.    

PEAT will distribute 1000 free copies of ‘Simple Steps’ to parents of children with Autism in Northern Ireland as well as 100 free copies to professionals working with children with Autism. Around 10,000 children in Northern Ireland suffer from ASD and the figure is rising.

Autism, which has a detrimental affect on a child’s social interaction, communication and play skills, can also lead to challenging and inappropriate behaviours.  ‘Simple Steps’ aims to empower parents through the use of ABA, giving them the skills base to deal with challenging behaviours, such as tantrums, and to teach their children new skills.

ABA also empowers children with the skills to make choices for themselves giving them more independence and a better quality of life. 

Dr Tony Byrne, Chairperson of PEAT and UU lecturer, has two children with autism. He says that parents have initial feelings of devastation and disbelief when their children are diagnosed with Autism.  

“We then embark on a lonely search for help. Most of us rang every charity we could find, spoke to countless professionals, read books on autism and searched many websites. Wouldn’t it have been great if someone had given you a complete comprehensive support package that answered the questions you needed answered,” he said. 

“It is thanks to funding from The Big Lottery and BBC Children in Need that parents of children with Autism in Northern Ireland now have free access to something that isn’t available anywhere else in the world.” 

The PEAT Charity worked along with Dr Stephen Gallagher and Dr Mickey Keenan from the University of Ulster’s School of Psychology in Coleraine, Dr Karola Dillenburger from Queen’s University, Belfast and with a local company Manley’s Ltd to produce Simple Steps.  

For further information and to request a copy of SIMPLE STEPS contact the PEAT office on: 028 9032 4882, email info@peatni.org or log on to our website at www.peatni.org 

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter