The Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area (ASGMA) is a registered charity, and a Company limited by Guarantee. The Society operates over the geographical area of Greater Manchester, covering the ten local authorities of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

The Objective of the Society is: -

”To promote the welfare of children, adolescents and adults variously diagnosed as having an autistic spectrum condition”

Brief History

The Society has been in existence since 1968, addressing the need of creating a local network for people affected by an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). The original name was `The Manchester & District Society for Autistic Children’. This was changed in 1984 to `The Autistic Society for the Manchester Area’, and then in 1997 to ASGMA.

What we do

We provide a range of services to parents and carers of children and adults with an Autistic Spectrum Condition. This includes the provision of parents and carers support groups, a telephone support network, an information and signposting service (including the provision of a Parent Resource Pack), speaker meetings, awareness events and a regular newsletter.

We also have our Aspirations project offering a comprehensive support service to individuals diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome aged 10+, predominantly consisting of individuals in the 10-35 age group. This enables individuals with Asperger Syndrome to access a range of direct support and leisure and social activities, supporting them in coping with their condition and the different ways that it affects them.