Est.2011

A Warm Welcome To ASD Ashford.


We are a friendly parent led group which aims to support families in the Ashford area, with children and young adults on the Autistic Spectrum as well as those with ADHD. This includes those who have yet to gain an official diagnosis. Being told your child has or may have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lot to take in and we hope to help you along the path to better understanding.

Sam Williams set up the group in early 2011 after her first son was diagnosed, her second son was diagnosed in 2017. The overwhelming thing that did not change through all those years is just how alone you can feel as parent/carers, it has always been our mission to make sure parents know they are not alone.
There is a thriving closed Facebook group for parents and carers, which is for local families to connect and allows members to chat and share the highs and lows of life with a young Autistic person.
 

ASD ASHFORD is completely independent and unfunded the group runs on the fundraising efforts of its supporter's and donations form the local community.



 ©2011-2022 ASD Ashford Autism Support Group

Introducing our Patron - Austin Hughes

Austin is a former actor/singer who in his spare time would volunteer and 
work in and around many disabilities. Not happy with some of what he saw, Austin  developed his own workshops.
His interest in autism grew from a friend that was on the ‘spectrum’. He 
learned how to build strong bonds and understanding by putting himself in the shoes of the person he’s working with – seeing life from their point of view.

After suffering a serious head/brain injury in 2007 Austin was left with his 
own disabilities which brought about a change in his career. Working within autism became his main focus as he trained and enjoyed working for the NAS.
He was Senior Behavioural Support and Training Officer for Anna Kennedy Online, before becoming Community Sports Manager for The West Ham Foundation. www.whufc.com/news/articles/2018/january/03-january/celebrating-another-fantastic-year-work-community

Austin has been delivering training with ASD Ashford over the last 4 years nd has helped many of our members. He has always been hugely supportive of what we do as group, and it's fair to say he has been taken to the hearts of our families. 
It was with great pleasure that in February 2014, he came on board as our Patron.