Cookstown Rotarians visited Team Aspie at their Molesworth Street Headquarters on Tuesday the 23rd October.

Team Aspie is a group for teenagers with Asperger's syndrome. It provides a safe forum for young people to socialise, have fun, learn skills and to help spread awareness and acceptance of this autistic spectrum disorder. The group was founded by a young teenager, Richard Collins, in 2014 to fill a need for young people with Asperger's to come together and meet others like them.

We met three very enthusiastic members of Team Aspies' Management Committee, Tracy Collins, Lorraine Heatherington and Gail Watt Dunseath. The challenges of intelligent, often exceptionally gifted, young people with limited empathy for others was explained. The need for sympathy and understanding of the condition so that these young people can develop their potential was explained passionately. Young people with Asperger's if not supported, are particularly vulnerable to anxiety, depression, self harm and exclusion from school. However, with support many young people can go on to achieve well. Tracy provided an update on the successes of very well known people who have the condition. 

Team Aspie is dependant on volunteers and funding from the public and local businesses. If you would like to volunteer or help fund Team Aspie please contact Tracy, Lorraine or Gail. 

Philip and Tony listening intently to Lorraine.

Philip and Tony listening intently to Lorraine. 

Tracy with Brendan and Pauline

Tracy with Brendan and Pauline

Selection of audience

Selection of audience

Gail and Alastair

Gail and Alastair