MAIN exists to offer advice and services tailored to individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Conditions to raise aspirations, empower, and to have the confidence to ‘wear the T-shirt with a smile’.  Our ambition is to change society’s perceptions of Autism Spectrum Conditions, and to increase understanding of the challenges and opportunities that living with Autism brings.
MAIN has been operating in the Tees Valley for 13 years and has gone from strength to strength.  MAIN now prides itself on working not only with children and families, but also with recognising that there are adults who need support too.  MAIN has responded by successfully creating employment and business development opportunities, support towards managing independent living and social networking opportunities.  Whilst retaining our principal focus on autism spectrum conditions, we have begun to use our expertise to help with attention-related conditions and other types of special needs.
In May 2014 MAIN grew even bigger when our services in County Durham opened their doors!  As well as having children’s short break services in Easington and Sedgefield, MAIN offer support to adults over the age of 16 who are undergoing or who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Condition.
Support centres around 5 areas: Understanding and managing your diagnosis; Independent Living; Health and Wellbeing; Socialising and being an active member of the community and Employment and Volunteering.
Staff work with individuals to develop interventions including written processes, timetables and Social Stories as well as increase knowledge in order to help them become more independent and manage their day to day living tasks. The journey with MAIN is captured in a home file this is a personalised file that belongs to each individual working with MAIN. The file is used to help guide them through confusing situations.  It can be referred back to for prompts or guides in order to decrease dependence on others. The file can also be used as a source of communication and collaborative working between professionals involved with the individual.
Referrals can be made from professionals, family members or the individuals themselves. For more information please call the team on 0191 3008556 or email info@iammain.org.uk