A ‘first of its kind’ £300,000 autism advice and information centre for Ayrshire families has launched in Kilmarnock.

The Kilmarnock ‘One Stop Shop’ aims to address the severe challenges experienced by local people with autism and their families, when attempting to access basic support services.

Funded by the Scottish Government and run by leading autism charity The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland, the Kilmarnock One Stop Shop offers a wide range of ‘all under one roof’ support and information services from a single, local location for people affected by autism throughout North, South and East Ayrshire.

An estimated 58,000 people with autism live in Scotland, with nearly 4,000 thought to live in Ayrshire.

Cumnock woman, Francine Robertson’s son Cameron, 27, has been diagnosed with high functioning autism.

Francine said: “Twenty-five years ago, there was so little knowledge and understanding of autism. I wish the Kilmarnock One Stop Shop had existed all those years ago. It’s so needed and I hope it will mean other local families won’t feel they have to battle alone.

“We’ve battled for Cameron throughout his life. We fought for his diagnosis, and we fought for him to be educated at a mainstream school. Growing up, Cameron’s behaviour could be challenging. When we were out together, he could become overwhelmed and disorientated, even experiencing a full meltdown. The looks and comments and the lack of understanding we encountered was very tough.” Francine added: “Cameron was our fourth child – we have three sons and a daughter. It was clear from a very early age he wasn’t developing like our other children. But when I told a diagnostic paediatrician I suspected my son had autism, he said ‘Why are you looking for a diagnosis of that? You don’t want him to have that.’ “Another doctor told me, ‘You have three other children. Enjoy the children you have and forget about him.’ I fought hard for his diagnosis, thinking this would mean Cameron could start to get the support he needs. But once we were told he has autism, we were basically left to get on with it.

“We wanted Cameron to attend nursery and primary school. Teachers tried their best, but it seemed there was no-one local I could turn to for advice. There were no local experts. I didn’t even know of any families who were going through the same experience as us. We felt so isolated and fearful for Cameron’s future.

“Many people of Cameron’s generation and older have been through the misery of their autism being misdiagnosed as a serious mental health issue and wrongly prescribed medication. This was sadly Cameron’s experience. He was committed to a local psychiatric unit and misdiagnosed as psychotic. We fought to have him correctly re-diagnosed with autism.

“I always worked with Cameron to be the best he can be. Doing it without support has been an incredible strain on our family. Cameron still finds social situations hard to understand and his behaviour is often complex. But Cameron has worked incredibly hard to overcome the barriers of his condition. He competed in basketball at the Shanghai Special Olympics. Last year he graduated with an HNC from Kilmarnock College, and now he’s studying an HND in computing and loves it.

“There’s been big improvements in local support for children, but this just seems to fall away at the age of eighteen. Autism is a lifelong condition and an adult with autism will still need support at key stages throughout their life, so they can become valued members of their communities.” Robert MacBean, policy and campaigns officer for The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland said, “For many years NAS Scotland has worked on behalf of our members and supporters, who are people with autism and their families, bringing to the Scottish government’s attention the lack of joined up thinking in Scotland’s autism support services, and the devastating impact this can have.

“The right support at the right time can make a positive difference between the loneliness and isolation experienced by many people with autism, and real quality of life. But many people with the condition and their families struggle to access the right support at the right time, are passed from one organisation to the next without their needs being adequately met or simply discover that local support services in their area are extremely limited.

“The Kilmarnock One Stop Shop will have a flexible approach that adapts and responds to local need. Wherever possible, it will work with local professionals and volunteers to help ensure their sustainable future within local communities.