Following the National Autistic Society’s partnership with the Royal College of GPs to make autism a priority from 2014, Adelphi Care Services has extended its existing training services.

Based in Shrewsbury, Adelphi Care Services is a leading provider of care for adults aged 18 and upwards with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other learning disabilities across the county.

In addition to three residential care homes in Shrewsbury and Wem, it also runs a respite home at Barra House in Wem, apartments for supported independent living and in-home help for those able to live alone with some assistance.

Louise Almond, training and development officer for Adelphi Care Services, delivers the free awareness training.

“By delivering these awareness sessions, we are really opening people’s eyes as to the huge range of difficulties those with autism or Asperger’s can face,” she said.

“Often it only needs to be small changes that can make the lives of those on the autistic spectrum much less stressful.

“One thing we really try and get across is that for someone with autism, they see the world very differently. To them, everyone else is different and how they see things is the norm.

“Everybody who has attended one of the sessions has said they found it so informative and helpful, with some even using the word ‘enlightening’.

“If by holding these free sessions we can help make things easier for even one person with autism or Asperger’s, then they are worth it.”

The National Autistic Society has formed an alliance for the Royal College of GPs, which will see autism made a priority for the medical profession from 2014 to 2017.

As a result, the free training programme has now been extended to anywhere in Shropshire and anybody interested in booking Mrs Almond to attend their place of work can do so by calling 01743 465299.

Those already having found the benefit of the sessions include teachers, driving instructors, staff at a dental practice, nurseries, care homes previously unfamiliar with dealing with those on the autistic spectrum and youth teams.

Mrs Almond can either run open sessions at Adelphi Care Services head office at Longbow Close, Shrewsbury or can carry out on-site training for those with suitable facilities.

“Some of the comments I have had range from people having had no idea what it was all about to how interesting it was to realise just how complex the disorder is,” she added.