WITH over 1,000 autistic children in the Dudley Borough, one Pensnett man has set up the first support group in the area to help Dads with autistic youngsters.
Marc Carter, of Queen Street, has two autistic children himself, 17-year-old stepson Sammi and son Ben, aged six, who is severely autistic and cannot communicate at all.
Through his two sons, Marc has been actively involved with the Dudley Autistic Support Group, but found things were more geared towards mums than dads.
The 35-year-old said: “Dads miss out on diagnosis, as mums usually take them to appointments which are during the day, when dads can’t always get time off work - then they only get filled in with a second hand tale when they get home.”
Marc added: “And I’ve noticed there is a lot of denial when you are a dad with an autistic child. When they are in the womb you have lots of dreams for your child. You want them to be a footballer or a racing car driver, then when they get to five-years-old, you realise they can’t do what you want them to do and they never will be able to.
“That is really hard for some dads to accept, as they see their dreams go out of the window.”
With this thought, Marc decided to set up a support group called ‘Breaking the Silence’ for dads to meet others in the same situation.
The informal group will also get dads involved with their children in one-on-one time, when trips to football matches, fishing and visits to the park are all in order.
Through the group, Marc has also applied for funds to buy a substantial amount of Lego to start a Lego club for dads and their autistic children.
He is also appealing for News readers to help the club by donating Lego pieces.
Marc said: “Lego is so expensive, so any donation no matter how small will be appreciated. The group will be very informal, where the children can interact and build, while the dad’s get to chat and build as well, as all dads love Lego.”
The first meeting of ‘Breaking the Silence’ is Tuesday, October 20, at the Samson and Lion pub on Brierley Hill Road at 8pm.
For more information about the group email talk@breakingthesilence.org.uk or to donate Lego contact lego@breakingthesilence.org.uk
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