A NEW website to 'help, support and signpost families in the right direction to ease the pressure of life with autism' has been set up by a Tavistock father whose son suffers from the condition.

Allen Lewis, of Parkwood Road, has set up the website http://www.action4autism.co.uk—">www.action4autism.co.uk—; which he says will hopefully grow into a very important tool for many people and help them understand autism- related disorders.

Allen is co-founder of the Tavistock Specials, a football team for people with special needs. He set up the Son Rise Cup and has supported many charitable events in the town over many years. Allen said: 'The Action4autism website was is set up to help , support and signpost parents who have their children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder,  Asperger's Syndrome and other similar conditions.

'I started this website when my son Paul was diagnosed with severe ASD in December 2003— my wife Sheena and I were at a complete loss as to what to do and really needed help.

'The stress and problems that go with a child with this condition are vast and you can only really understand the condition if you live with it.

'The goal of this website will be to be supportive to parents and carers of these children and  adults, but also bring humour and hopefully joy when we learn to accept the condition and see it as a gift and something truly wonderful.

'I can honestly say those first years nearly killed us, as the constant disruption, mess, lack of sleep, damage and chaos were our life! Yes, all of us, including our other children. who I have to say have been amazing.'

Allen said he hoped that people using the website got something out of it in a positive way.

'The one thing that we have learnt is you can't fight the autism, you just go with it, no matter how hard or crazy it is, and hopefully you can come out the other side and laugh about your experiences and enjoy this very special human being you have been given.

'As an ordinary dad, I am putting this information together with what I have learned and I hope others who visit Action4autism will pass on their stories and other helpful information.'

Allen said he hoped the website would become a 'mine of information' that could create positive messages to those people who were 'in an awful mess and feel helpless and alone'.

'Please pass this website on to others and I hope it grows and becomes a huge help.' said Allen.