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• My 21’st • Cabinet Secretary for Justice
• Happy Birthday Dad! • What’s On in May
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Introduction Hello everyone and welcome to my May edition of “Just Jordan”. Firstly I want to congratulate al the 6th form pupils who have finished at there high school and wish them all the very best for the future. Again, am elated with the response about my “JUST Jordan” group and newsletter, so thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Keep your questions coming. If you’d like to order a paper or hardback edition just drop
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me a line and I’ll order it for you. I’ve continued with a similar layout but please do share any suggestions for the June edition! As always please do keep your feedback and messages coming, it’s a pleasure hearing from each and everyone of you! I’ve worked very hard on this and I hope that you will enjoy and tell all your friends & family about “JUST Jordan”. You will find information on my “JUST Jordan” Facebook/Twitter page and
how to contact me details are also enclosed. As always I look forward to your feedback, submissions and questions for the next edition.
See ya!!
Jordan Fernando xx
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Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Mum and I were invited to the The National Autistic Society Scotland office in Glasgow where we met Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice. We had a meeting to discuss the Cash Back Scotland funded employment service, Moving Forward. Moving Forward supports autistic 16-24-year-olds from areas in West Central Scotland. The programme is designed to help people develop social confidence and prepare for work and other positive goals. As a result of taking part in the programme I have now successfully completed work placements at a nursery and am hoping to return to College to study childcare. I have been volunteering with the charity for some years now and help out at Nas Oss Kilmarnock and the local health radio station 3tfm too.
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The National Autistic Society have been campaigning so that autistic people and their families can lead the lives they choose. Employers are now really keen to learn about autism now thanks to Cash Back Scotland, the National Autistic Society can offer awareness sessions to help close the autism employment gap. Challenging some employers misconceptions about autism is really important as their are still too many people believe the myths. Michael told us that he decided to fund Moving forward through the Cash Back Scotland because too many young people with autism don’t get the same opportunities as their peers. I asked Michael where Cash Back Scot funding comes from. He says it’s seized from the proceeds of crime. It’s the only scheme of its type in the UK and it’s all about taking money off the bad guys and giving it to the good guys! Mum told him he was like a modern day 'Robin Hood'! We had a great morning with Michael Matheson MSP discussing the Moving Forward project and Cash Back Scotland, and we're looking forward to inviting him to some future events. I'd like to personally thank everyone at the Nas office who have helped us so much throughout the years. Remember folks, I am hosting another fundraiser at The Victoria Bar in Saltcoats on Fri 4th May 7pm-late All are Welcome!
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Join us at the Victoria Bar on Fri 4th May for a big fundraiser, as local man Jim Montgomerie is heading off to take on Mount Everest soon, we plan on giving him a send off to remember! The cost of your ticket will include a delicious buffet, entertainment including a DJ, vocalist, harpist to name but a few, and all proceeds made on the night will go to The National Autistic Society Scotland and The IMC Project Group. Not forgetting a brilliant Caricaturist will be available for portraits and a fantastic raffle, with prizes not to be missed! Pop into the bar for a ticket, give us a call on 01294 463752 or leave a message on our group page below and we'll get back to you soonest. Let's give Jim the send off he deserves before taking on Mount Everest! https://www.facebook.com/events/562747757444603/ To Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/justjordan21
For more information on the Moving Forward project log onto: http://www.autism.org.uk/movingforward And to check out my local support group log onto: https://www.facebook.com/groups/213071952427706/ "JUST Jordan" https://suzfernando.wixsite.com/justjordan
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Chris Packham is the ambassador now for the National Autistic Society (NAS). Chris's documentary Asperger’s and Me, has been very popular, successfully helping people to understand more about autism. Please click on the link below to view the documentary. BBCiplayer - Aspergers and me: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09b1zbb/chrispackham-aspergers-and-me
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Kids Zone by Jordan Fernando
More in the Kids Zone next month!
Please keep your drawings coming and I’ll do my best to feature them in next months edition of JUST Jordan.
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Our regular JUST Jordan poem submitted by Autist Kerry McGinn 20, Stevenston, North Ayrshire.
“You must be thinking why I’ve written about Disney….Well I thought ‘we all love Disney, so why not?’ What I love is that they have special messages, moments and songs we all remember so here’s some I can think of and hopefully I’ll give it my best shot” My Love of Disney From Cinderella’s sparkling dress To Peter Pan teaching the darlings to fly From Belle and the beast’s romantic ballroom dance To Aladdin and Jasmine’s Carpet ride through the sky We sang and danced to classic songs Like the bare necessities And watched our favourite heroes and heroines explore new worlds Like captain Jack Sparrow Sailing the High Seas Jiminy cricket sang about How to keep wishing upon a star While Elsa from Frozen taught us To never be afraid to show who you truly are I hope like me as the years roll by You’re love for Disney will continue to grow And if some people don’t appreciate that Remember to just... LET IT GO
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Dear Jordan…… Ask me anything and I’ll be as frank with my views as Coleen is on Loose Women!! I can be your straightesttalking agony aunt, giving advice on relationships, bullying, early diagnosis and any life problems you may have…..xx Huge thanks to everyone who submitted questions for “Dear Jordan”
“Dear Jordan How do I get a passport photo done when my daughter won't look at the camera? She's almost 5 but there is no chance of her looking at the camera and even less chance of her sitting in a photo booth. If your daughter struggles then you would need to explain this on the passport form and support this with a letter from your consultant. See guidance below https://www.gov.uk/passport-services-disabled Hope this helps ! Love Jordan xxx Contact me anytime : Jfernando_1997@hotmail.co.uk or suzfernando@yahoo.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/groups/213071952427706/ @JustJordan2016
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“Dear Jordan”: My child has been assessed by ATS and ed Psychologist over the last month. Both have completely contradicted each other. One (ed Psychologist) has seen exactly what I see- a child that strives from routine, structure, huge anxiety’s,low self esteem and dislikes anyone new ( was very on edge when ed Psychologist walked in even before my child knew they were for him). They did notice a that my child had a close friend,which they do, but in my opinion there is no depth to the friendship. They just play well together and my child leads the play usually. my child amongst a whole load of other things cannot follow more than a one step instruction but IS progressing well in some areas. ATS has said they do not know why I wanted the child seen, there are no social communication issues, my child has friends and transitions well into the playground and back again and speaks in conversation/answers questions. I said my child definitely does not play age appropriately outside of school, it’s all very one sided and they struggle to join in with others that are already playing. Also if they see those same friends outside the safety of the school gate my child is with drawn and takes along time to ‘join in with anything /the party etc. They said they will assess my child again in a few months. Anyway any advice please. Personally, I'd rather refer you to the NAS education right service as it's much too complex an issue to talk through in this type of forum. http://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/education-rights.aspx
Hope this helps ! Love Jordan xxx
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Celebrating my 21’st
I woke up bright and early as instructed expecting to walk downstairs, sit around the table with my family and open some presents….well at least that’s what I thought!! As I walked into the livingroom I just about jumped out of my skin when all of a sudden I hear….”SURPRISE”………
And there hiding behind there door are my 2 besties Kerry and Heather, bearing in mind only a few minutes earlier I’d been chatting on the phone to Heather Kerry telling me how busy they were and hoped to see me soon! Didn’t quite expect it to be that soon, but I have to say it was one of the best surprises I’ve ever had (once the shock wore off), and I don’t normally like too many surprises.
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Apparently Mum had sneaked them both into the house while I was upstair getting changed‌.. I opened my wonderful gifts, Aaron played me a birthday song on her electric guitar then it was time for Aaron and I to finally find out where we were off to on holiday in the summer for our joint birthday. Aaron turns 18 in December so Mum decided to treat us both to a holiday somewhere nice.
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My Dad’s family are originally from Portugal but none of us have ever been, so yes you guessed it we’re off to the beautiful island of Portugal and we were over the moon when we found out. We’re so excited and now the summer just won’t come quick enough for us!!
Surprises didn't stop there as we were all whisked away to a hotel in Glasgow for the night to enjoy some quality girlie time together. Spending the day at the Science Centre with my besties, we enjoyed a delicious birthday and cake at Frankie & Benny’s, we watched a movie at the IMAX in 3D which was just awesome, we visited the planetarium and spent lots of time in the science centre too and we all had a fantastic timel!!
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Dad picked us up the following day, we took Kerry and Heather home before returning home ourselves and on approaching the house all I can see is my face plastered all over it! Seriously was not expecting anything else but I should have realized Mum would have been up to something!
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I was then told I had another wee surprised organized for the evening so I enjoyed a nice rest before putting my favourite dress on and realized we were going out to our favourite restaurant Si in Irvine.
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As I walked into the restaurant all I saw was sea of friends lined up across the restaurant, but I have to admit as much as it was a lovely gesture it all got a bit overwhelming for me and I did struggle to cope with the overload of surprises.
I tried my best to make the most of the night but as many of you know who are reading this when we experience sensory overload it is really difficult to cope. It made things a bit easier for me when they told me exactly what else to expect for the rest of the evening, and my old friend Super Mario even made a guest experience and helped bring out my birthday cake, which was amazing!.
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Would just like to say a huge thank you to for all my brilliant gifts, the special birthday messages, thank you to my Mum & Dad for making my birthday so special, I loved it and to all my friends & family who spent the time with me.
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What’s On in Ayrshire
***Ayrshire Veteran Breakfast club also meet every Monday morning at 10 in the Melbourne Café, Saltcoats. All welcome!***
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/476315025910707/ or https://www.facebook.com/VintageRoseTherapies.co.uk/
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Nas Largs Branch https://www.facebook.com/NAS-Largs-Branch-405708889866923/
For anyone wishing for an additional needs assessment in education, this is a draft letter to make a request just fill in the relevant information required, hopefully helpful: [Date]
[Parent’s Name] [Parent’s Address]
[Head of Education] [Council Offices Address]
Dear Sir or Madam, Re: Name of Child, Date of Birth – Assessment Additional Support Needs I am writing to request that my [son/daughter], who is a pupil at [School], is assessed to establish the extent of [her/his] additional support needs and to establish if [she/he] is receiving the correct level of support, as is the education authority’s duties under Section 6 and Section 8A of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. [Description of the reasons why you believe your child has additional support needs, specifying areas where your child is struggling and your suspicions as to what their barriers to learning are and the areas where your child needs support in order to benefit from their education]. As a result of this, [Child’s Name] is not currently receiving an adequate and efficient education, which the education authority is under a duty to provide under Section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Therefore, I request that my [son/daughter] is, in the first place, assessed by an education psychologist, to establish a baseline of [his/her] needs and what further specific assessments are required, to establish whether [he/she] has additional support needs within the meaning of Section 1 of the 2004 Act. [If possible, specify other appropriate professionals that you believe should assess your child (e.g. speech and language therapist; occupational therapist; physiotherapist), and why. Example: I also believe that an assessment by a speech and language therapist is required, because my son has difficulties communicating, which is having a detrimental impact on his education, and he is not currently receiving enough support to overcome those difficulties.] I believe that my request should be dealt with as a matter of urgency, as my [son/daughter] is effectively being denied an education. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely,
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Apply for a Blue Badge: https://www.mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge/eligibility-who-can-have-one/
POLL: What would you like to read about in “JUST Jordan”? Let us know by contacting us via email: jfernando_1997@hotmail.co.uk or suzfernando@yahoo.co.uk
MAY9 The Big Ayr Star Wars Quiz Public · Hosted by The Big Glasgow Comic Page https://www.facebook.com/events/1995019274095021/
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HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE. If you would like to submit an article, picture, ask a question or offer support in next month’s newsletter please contact me via email: jfernando_1997@hotmail.co.uk or suzfernando@yahoo.co.uk
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3TFM Fundraiser! Come and join us for our fundraising event which will include an evening of music, games and a light buffet so you'll all have plenty of energy for that dance floor. This should be a great night so bring your friends and family for a bit of fun while helping your local radio station. With your support we can continue our commitment to spreading messages of health, local services and providing training opportunities for locals. Tickets cost ÂŁ5 (including buffet) and can be purchased by contacting Louis on 01294 608 048. Alternatively, extra tickets will be available at the door. Unfortunately, due to licensing, we will be unable to host children at this event. We hope to see you there for a great night!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1664423243606564/
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Happy Birthday Dad!
“JUST Jordan” Copyright of Miss Jordan Fernando Jfernando_1997@hotmail.co.uk suzfernando@yahoo.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/groups/213071952427706/ @JustJordan2016 https://issuu.com/justjordan19/ Disclaimer: All articles and information in this newsletter are of the writers own personal experiences and opinions.