Parents of autistic children launch
charity shop to help others

 By Zoe Chamberlain
  ___________________________________________________________________________

CARING parents Lisa and Peter Mace have opened their own charity shop to help families with autism.

Their sons, Ben, 14, and George, nine, both have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger syndrome.

For years they struggled to get the support they needed so now they've decided to try to make it easier for others.

"It's not just about raising money by selling bric-a-brac," says Lisa, 37, who lives in Kings Norton with her husband Peter, 48.

"Since we opened a couple of weeks ago, a lot of people have been popping in for a chat about their children who are on the autistic spectrum.

"We also have adult volunteers who are autistic, which is great because it encourages them to get involved in the community."

Their youngest son George began to have difficulties when he started school.

Lisa explains: "He was unable to sit still and found it difficult to concentrate. "He was also very anxious.

"We went to get him checked and, after much calling and chasing, he was diagnosed and statemented within 10 weeks.

"Within a year he'd moved to a special school."

It was quite a different story with Ben, who wasn't diagnosed until he was 13.

"It was only when Ben started secondary school that he started struggling," says Lisa.

"Moving up to a big school is a huge thing for anyone but he found it totally overwhelming.

"He couldn't concentrate and was a chatterbox in class.

"It was only then we realised he had the same symptoms as his younger brother.

"But it took 12 months to get Ben statemented and into a special school. It was a very difficult time.

"Looking back, we can see he was showing signs when he was at junior school. He couldn't do creative writing and he used to laugh and chat a lot in class.

"But we just put it down to his personality, as did his teachers."

Various equipment is available to help children on the autistic spectrum but the Maces, like many families, struggled to get what they needed.

"There is specialist equipment available that's as vital to these children as a wheelchair for a child who cannot walk," says Lisa.

"But because as it's a hidden condition, they tend to get a rough deal.

"For many children on the autistic spectrum, their problems are sensory.

"When we've had to restrain George because he's having a meltdown, we've found he actually enjoyed it because he liked the feeling of being held really tight.

"There are special weighted blankets that give them that feeling when they are wrapped around them but they cost £200 a time.

"Another problem we found was that he liked eating sand. Pica is common in autistic children, where they like to eat non-food items. They also like to chew their clothes and bite their arms and legs because of the feeling it gives them.

"You can get something they can safely wear around their neck for them to chew on when they get that urge."We wanted to raise money in the shop so we can help families to get these and
other vital pieces of equipment."

The Maces ran a wholesale sandwich company from 1997 to 2002, catering for West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Football Club and even President Clinton at the G8 Summit.

They then went to work in mental health for the NHS but gave it up four-years- ago to concentrate on looking after their sons.

One of the reasons they opened Autism Birmingham, a shop and charity in Stirchley, earlier this month was so they could be good role models for their boys.

"I think it's important the boys don't think it's the norm for parents to be at home all the time," she explains.

"They don't remember when I was working 70-hour weeks and doing night shifts.

"We've sat them down and explained Autism Birmingham to them and they're really keen to be involved.

"They're both doing really well at school now and are brilliant at maths.

"They're such loving children, they love lots of cuddles and kisses all the time.

"Life's great for us now, I wouldn't want our boys to be any other way."

Lisa and Peter are keen to help others by running free training sessions for local businesses on how to deal with autism.

"We're doing a session soon at Sainsbury's in Longbridge," she says.

"We want to create awareness so the staff know what to do when they see an individual having a meltdown.

"We've been on the receiving end of people tutting and saying 'what a naughty boy' and it's just horrible.

"It's really upsetting to see your child distressed, the last thing you want is people passing judgement on you as a parent.

"It's important they don't stop and stare but they do try to make the environment safe for the child.

"Places like supermarkets are so busy and such a sensory overload it can cause problems for people on the autistic spectrum.

"Autistic children often exhibit strange behaviour. At the age of 10, it can be quite funny and cute but once they're adults people tend to look at them as if they are freaks.

"I once saw an autistic man pinned to the ground by five security men, one of whom was sat on his chest, just over a misunderstanding.

"I hope these kinds of situations can be avoided with better awareness."

■ The Autism Birmingham shop, at 1586 Pershore Road, Stirchley, is officially being opened today at lpm by local entrepreneur and Birmingham Mail columnist Jamie Dunn. There will be free refreshments. The Maces are keen to accept donations of clothes, small items of furniture, brie a brae, books, DVDs and toys. To find out more, visit www.autismbirmingham.co.uk