After a recent open day held by Spectrum in Bude, the DCAS has been asked by a number of parents in the area to consider starting up/facilitating a support group. We are considering this and would like to hear from parents who might be interested in participating. Please email markhilley@dcas.eu or call the office on … Read more →

Thanks to successfully obtaining grants from three funding sources (Baily Thomas, Clare Milne Trust & Cornwall Community Foundation) we have recently started delivering a befriending service. The early signs are very encouraging and benefits are accruing to those receiving the service and the volunteers delivering it. We'll keep you informed of its progress. Please feel … Read more →

We are delighted to announce that we will shortly be embarking on our Befriending Project. Its aim is to provide occasional social support, to people affected by an autistic spectrum condition, in accessing community facilities. We are also looking for volunteers to assist in this project. If you think a Befriending service would benefit you, … Read more →

To celebrate its 30th anniversary Spectrum is holding a one-day conference at the Combined Universities of Cornwall's Tremough Campus in Penryn. The event has attracted a fascinating group of speakers on a range of interesting topics http://www.spectrumasd.org/#/conference.php The cost to attend the Conference is £75.00. However, the DCAS has a limited number of places reserved … Read more →

The AGM has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday 27th June (and NOT August, as previously, incorrectly, stated here) at 6.30pm. The venue for the meeting will be The Pearl Centre, 7/8 Cathedral Walk – in the centre of Truro.   Please call Mark Hilley to confirm you attendance on 01872 278378.

Great news! Our sister Charity Spectrum has just opened a new drop-in facility in the heart of Truro, and the DCAS has been given access to use the premises for our activities and the benefit of our members. Please see http://www.spectrumasd.org/#/resource.php for more information. Future initiatives such as Parent Support Meetings will be arranged at … Read more →

The case of the young boy with autism, recently deemed to have been unlawfully restrained by the Metropolitan police at a swimming pool in London, raises many relevant questions on how the police need to improve their understanding and management of individuals with ASDs. You can read the full judgement (below).  The dangers of misreporting … Read more →

The DCAS is delighted to report the start of a project of collaboration with DISC Camborne. DISC provide a much needed service for vulnerable adults (18yrs +) who are either homeless, have addiction(s), on probation, have physical/mental health issues, people with learning disabilities, migrant workers, and older people. It also provides mentoring to ex offenders and support … Read more →

Spectrum is the biggest and longest established provider of services for people with ASDs in Cornwall. However its history and evolution have been shaped in many ways by the DCAS. The founding fathers of the DCAS were the very people who gave birth to Spectrum. Check out this beautiful animation illustrating the growth and sterling work carried out by … Read more →

The next meeting of the Family Support Group will be held on Wednesday 30th November at the Three Bridges School in Blackwater between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. The evidence of past meetings has revealed that many parents (who attend) might benefit from a basic introduction to the autistic spectrum. We will therefore aim to use the first hour of the session … Read more →