Hastings Strongest Kids 2018 will be raising money for ASPENS

Here at Aspens, we help children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, and/or those with complex needs. Through the provision of highly personalised support, we aspire to enable people to learn new skills, live life to the full and contribute to society however possible.

Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.

Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that's more than 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.

Autism doesn't just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.

Autism is a hidden disability – you can't always tell if someone is autistic.

While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people's lives.

34% of children on the autism spectrum say that the worst thing about being at school is being picked on.

63% of children on the autism spectrum are not in the kind of school their parents believe would best support them.

17% of autistic children have been suspended from school; 48% of these had been suspended three or more times; 4% had been expelled from one or more schools.

Seventy per cent of autistic adults say that they are not getting the help they need from social services. Seventy per cent of autistic adults also told us that with more support they would feel less isolated.

At least one in three autistic adults are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.