Norwich woman sets up new autism group

Sam EmanuelA Norwich woman whose child suffers from a rare form of autism is setting up a support group for families who suspect their child might have the same condition.Sam Emanuel

A Norwich woman whose child suffers from a rare form of autism is setting up a support group for families who suspect their child might have the same condition.

Barbara-Ellen Joseph will be starting the Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA) support group on Saturday, May 1, at City Academy Norwich, between 10am and noon.

It will then run on the first Saturday of each month, unless members would prefer it to be held on a different day.

The condition is a relatively new diagnosis, meaning support for the families of children with the condition is currently very limited.

Mrs Joseph said: 'Anyone who thinks their child may have the condition, or who wants to speak to the parents of children with it, are very welcome to come along.

'At the moment, if a doctor diagnoses someone with it, they tend to refer them to a family with experience of it to speak to, but it can feel a bit strange phoning a stranger for information, and I thought people would much rather meet face to face.'

For more information about the condition, visit www.pdacontact.org.uk, or to contact Mrs Joseph, call 01603 508461 or email b.ejoseph@yahoo.co.uk.