'After lockdown my nephew refused to leave the house - it was simply too much'

A woman is calling for wider support after her autistic nephew was 'at a point of refusing to leave the house' following lockdown.

Helen Rennie, from Stockport, has said 'more needs to be done' in the wake of supporting autistic people. Her nephew, Louis, 18, who is on the autistic spectrum, 'struggled' outside of school 'in a socialising aspect' - and was hit hard after the pandemic.

"Louis struggled with his autism and there wasn't focused support outside of school to meet like-minded people. Towards the end of lockdown, Louis was pretty much at the point of refusing to leave the house because this was simply too much for him," she said.

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"There are many people on the autistic spectrum who do not have access to support, environments or experiences that enable them to develop both socially and professionally."

Helen added: "Louis didn't have that focused support. There should be wider support and access to these facilities now."

After a period of struggle, Louis's mum encouraged him to try out a youth club I AM Celebrating Autism. The charity, based in Stretford, works to provide support to a wide range of people, aged 10 years and upwards, who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (which can also be called Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder) as well as their families, guardians and carers in Greater Manchester.

"Louis previously was generally never ready to go out on time, however after attending the youth club a few times every week he is ready to go out to the youth club. He said to his mum 'I just feel like I fit in when I go there. He's made friends and it's boosted his