A FURNESS mum who is campaigning for better support for autistic children has won the backing of the shadow education secretary and her MP.

Deborah Brownson, of Ireleth, is the mother of two boys – Jacob and Joshua – who are on the autism spectrum.

Her experiences with the boys inspired her to write a book which is designed to help children, parents, teachers, child minders and medical professionals have a better understanding of autism.

He’s Not Naughty! – A Children’s Guide to Autism has been widely acclaimed.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock arranged for Mrs Brownson to meet Labour’s education spokesman Tristram Hunt MP shortly after they had completed a tour of the BAE Systems yesterday (Thursday).

Mr Woodcock is a big fan of the book and he has pledged to help Mrs Brownson raise funds to provide every school in Cumbria with a copy to be used as an educational resource.

Mr Woodcock said: “I was happy to be able to arrange for Deborah to meet Tristram so he could see the book and hear about the pioneering work she is doing so that people can have a better understanding of autism.

“It is a fantastic book and we are exploring ways of raising enough money so every school in the county can have a copy. Children with autism are creative, intelligent people and they need to be supported emotionally in our schools.

“This book can make a huge difference and I am determined to work with Deborah to make sure it reaches the widest possible audience.”

Mrs Brownson said: “I am thrilled that both John and Tristram Hunt have both taken time out of their busy schedules to read my book, speak with me face to face and ultimately learn more about autism.

“In the UK the lives of over 2.8 million people are affected by autism, so it’s important that our MPs understand the challenges faced by their constituents and the changes that need to be made in order to support autistic people in education, in the workplace and in society at large.

“John also visited my son’s school, Vickerstown Primary School on Walney Island and spoke to my son Jake, the Headteacher Michelle Phizacklea and other autistic children and following that he promised to try and raise enough funds to provide a free copy of my book to each school in Cumbria, with the aim of raising autism awareness in every school in our county. I’m delighted that something I initially wrote to help people understand my son, will help autistic children all over the county to be better understood by those around them.”

Mr Hunt said: “I had a very good meeting with Deborah who has produced a beautiful book which is really an explanation about some of the challenges that children with autism face and how we as a society need to support them.

“But crucially it is also about making sure that teachers receive the right training to they can spot autism in young people – don’t just think they are naughty or wilful – to actually give them the support so they can flourish and also so that children in the same class aren’t affected by their learning challenge.”

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From left: Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, Vickerstown Primary School head Michelle Phizacklea, Deborah Brownson and shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt