About Us
The Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation is a registered charity based in London, England. The charity is run on a non-profit basis. We rely on private donations and the great work of our volunteers.
The Foundation was developed with the support of parents whose sons/daughters have Asperger’s Syndrome, who were experiencing a lack of specialist support and services.
Our History
Founded and first chaired by Beatrice Buisseret, the charity was established in 2002 and is currently chaired by one of our Trustees, Debra Tucker.
Prior to the registration of the charity, Beatrice raised funds to sponsor the first accredited Post Graduate course in Asperger’s Syndrome, offered at Sheffield Hallam University since 2003.
Additionally, The ASF now has a general ADVOCACY service with access to further specialist services. All enquiries in the first instance should be sent to [email protected]
Advocate resources
UK website address for Voiceability is:
www.voiceability.org
Libra Partnership Independent Advocacy
21, Willmott Road,
Royston.
SG8 5LW
Tel: 01763248066
- [email protected] (Independent Advocacy in Suffolk)
- https://hampshireadvocacy.org.uk
Meet our Trustees
All our Trustees have lived experiences of Asperger’s Syndrome.
They have either worked with people who have the condition or are parents of children / adults who have an autistic spectrum condition.
While our trustees come from a range of professions, they all share an empathetic approach to all individuals living with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Select a bio below to find out more about our trustees:
Debra Tucker
Debra Tucker joined the Foundation as a trustee in 2003 when the charity was founded. She became Chair in 2013 and has been running their social skills Saturday Club for over 13 years, supporting adults with autism and their families. Following a career in the theatre, Debra taught in mainstream education and delivered anti bullying training in line with government policy to educators and children all over the UK for the national charity, Kidscape. She has completed an MA in Autism.
Ivonne Soret
Ivonne Menendez Soret is a former teacher and Independent Advocate with experience supporting young people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Ivonne has been part of the steering groups working on the Capabilities Statements for people with autism and learning differences with the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). In addition to the ASF, she has also been involved in working with charities to support families with significant needs with children between the ages of 0-18, as well as being trustee of a local women’s centre.
HH Nicholas Huskinson
Dede Watkins
Dede Watkins is a marketing and business development professional with over 20 years of experience working within professional services. She has been involved with the Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation for over ten years.