Autastic Club celebrates its second birthday in style

Autastic Club was founded in 2021 by mums Ashley McSwegan and Angela Armour after they both struggled to find a suitable venue that allowed their autistic sons Reuben and Shay to be themselves.

It holds two play sessions at Johnstone Community Sports Hub every Saturday, which are attracting scores of people, along with a variety of other fun-filled family events.

To celebrate the club's second birthday, Ashley and Angela recently held a party that took place over the course of two play sessions.

Many families attended the event, which included bouncy castles, tasty pizza and a special visit from an ice cream van.

Youngsters welcomed visitors from a petting zoo, including bunnies, snakes and geckos. 

And St Mirren legend Tony Fitzpatrick also made a special appearance during the event.

Ashley told The Gazette: "It was really good to see the kids enjoying themselves.

"The second year has been going great, we've met more families and more kids.

"The families that are coming along are also forming their own friendships outwith the group as well, which is good to see."

Charis Szyster, whose daughter Elsie attended the second birthday celebration, said: "My daughter is five and usually gets overwhelmed at parties. 

"She feels so confident and happy at Autastics, she even got her face painted and it stayed on the rest of the day, which has never happened.

"She's never liked bugs or animals either and miraculously she was very interested in them too!"

Autastic Club will be holding two Hallowe'en parties on Saturday, October 28, starting at 11am and 1pm.

For more information about upcoming activities, visit bit.ly/3rEMx7G.