Part of the project involves finding out about your local MP. It was clear that the children had worked very hard prior to my visit and I answered a wide range of questions from the pupils aged from seven to 11 on how Parliament works and what being an MP is like. Perhaps the best question was ‘what impact does being an MP have on your family life’!
I congratulate headteacher Andrew Berry and his staff for encouraging the children to become involved in this subject. For more information on the project visit www.explore.parliament.uk
Aspergers Help
They all tell me that finding the right care and support is nigh on impossible. They just don’t not fit the criteria for many social services departments.
People with Aspergers are often highly intelligent but lack every day communication skills which often lead to frustration and violence. It also makes them particularly vulnerable.
I organised a meeting between the mothers and Norfolk County Council Adult Services. The outcome is that with the help of Asperger East Anglia, the County has agreed to train a number of carers and other professionals to recognise the symptoms and understand the needs of sufferers.
A working party of mothers and interested agencies is also being set up to explore ways of ensuring adults with Aspergers receive help and information with housing, benefits, employment, drugs and related issues.