The year 2002 has been declared Autism Awareness Year and we are desperately trying to get hold of as many support groups working with the field of autism as possible.

The problem is that there is no complete central register of charities and parent support groups, as many set up completely independently when they feel their particular needs are not being met elsewhere.

The reason we wish to contact these groups is that we (the British Institute of Brain Injured Children and the Disabilities Trust) have got together and managed to secure a sum of money from two trust funds specifically to promote this year and to help smaller organisations to run awareness raising events. In order to do this we need to be able to locate them! So, any support group or charity that hasn't already heard about this incentive, please get in touch with us and we will send you details.

You can contact us on 01278 684060, or write to us at BIBIC, Knowle Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8PJ, or register your interest at www.autism-awareness.org.uk.

Pam brooks

British Institute for Brain Injured Children

Knowle Hall

Bridgwater

Somerset

of how everybody is working together to promote this year jointly to really get the message across about the plight of the autistic individual in the UK.

Autism is on the increase, no one really knows why as yet, but all of us working with this complex condition could really make a big difference if we all pull together to educate and raise awareness of the serious implication of this rise, and to allow a better understanding of autism.

We already have a number of events planned, and we really would like to include all organisations, no matter how small, in next year's activities.