Dinner dance to mark launch of new social group for autistic children
Infinity Friends, a new social group for autistic children set up last September by Autism Parents Athlone, will be officially launched with a dinner dance later this month.
Infinity Friends is a voluntary run social club for autistic children aged between three and 17, established by Claire Earley and Hilda Duignan.
The club is full at present with 50 members and Claire said that since September the club has gone from strength to strength.
“The demand that was there was phenomenal. So much so that we need to open more clubs to accommodate waiting lists and age groups. By the end of January we will have five groups of Infinity Friends, catering for nearly 50 families.”
Claire explained: “There's no pressure for the kids to take part or stay for the full hour.”
Parents stay with the children for the duration of the activities which provides a social outlet for them too.
Speaking about the reason for setting up Infinity Friends, the founder said that they found that weren't too many clubs that could facilitate children with autism locally.
“Myself and Hilda Duignan are both parents of children with autism. We really enjoy facilitating the club and seeing the smiles from all the members every week."
The group also hope to introduce local therapists to work with the members in group sessions.
Claire would like to thank the following sponsors: Athlone Credit Union, Hickey & Co Solicitors, J.O.S Tyres Monksland, Shannon Orthodontics, Petworld Athlone, Munnelly Opticians, Jel's Kitchen Coffee Shop, Stoneyhill Carpentry, Nationwide Energy Solutions, Cunninghams Pharmacy Monksland and Group 8 traffic management.
"We would also like to thank everyone who donates to the club on a weekly basis through our bonus ball lotto draw,” Claire said.
The dinner dance is a celebration of Infinity Friends opening and also a fundraiser to help support the four new clubs. It will be held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Saturday, January 28 at 6pm. The guest speaker on the night will be the CEO of AsIAm, Ireland's National Autism Charity, Adam Harris.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting Claire Earley on 085 1067276 or Sarah in Cunninghams Pharmacy Monksland.
Infinity Friends meets every Sunday in Monksland Community Centre to take part in ability based activities. Members can enjoy a non judgemental environment while making new friends.
Autism Parents Athlone was established as a Facebook group last year to highlight the lack of school places for children with autism, or other additional needs, at both primary and secondary school level and last year organised a public demonstration in Athlone on the issue.