Manchester mother Debby Elley, whose twin boys have autism, has launched a free magazine to help other parents in a similar situation.
Called AuKids and published quarterly, it aims to bring ideas, inspiration and triumph to all parents bringing up young children on the autism spectrum. Mrs Elley, 38, created the magazine about a year ago with speech therapist Tori Houghton.
The duo have now secured funding from Standard Life, which will enable them to print 1,000 issues.
Mrs Elley’s five-year-old sons, Alec and Robert, both have autism. Alex also has learning difficulties. She tells People: “I had found that a lot of the information that was available and the special needs magazines I was getting were all very depressing. They tend to focus on what children with autism can’t do. Yes, our kids may be autistic. But they are still kids. There are a lot of misconceptions. It has been a very steep learning curve and I had the desire to pass on what I had learnt to other parents so they don’t have to go through the same.”
AuKids, which is not-for-profit, is funded through sponsorship. It has been assisted by the Joshua Short Foundation, which covered print costs, and Catalyst Pictures, which do the graphics at a reduced rate. Menorah Synagogue in Sharston, Manchester, donated funds from their Kol Nidre appeal. “We need extra sponsorship for the long term,” says Mrs Elley, who hopes to expand the magazine, currently Manchester- and Cheshire-based.
Mrs Elley, a freelance journalist, lives in Stockport, Cheshire.
