Team Training with Autism Jersey

12th June 2025

Image: Autism Jersey training for staff at Corbett Le Quesne

All staff training with Autism Jersey

Autism Jersey kindly agreed to come in to the office today to provide training to the whole firm. Autism Jersey is our charity of the year and we have been working with them by raising money at our events and sponsoring their recent fashion show. However, we wanted to do more than support them financially. 

The lovely Lesley Harrison, Head of Charitable Services, spoke to us about what the charity does and how we can be more inclusive and understanding as lawyers and as individuals.

Living in a foreign country without a guidebook

While we know that there are some incredibly successful people with autism like Richard Branson and Elon Musk, we also watched some heart-breaking videos showing how painful it is to have a child who is non-verbal for example. It is so important to be aware that there are people struggling with how to support their loved ones and that we can all help. 

Having autism can feel like "living in a country where you don't speak the language and you don't have a phrase book." With the tools from Autism Jersey we hope to be more able to recognise when we should be providing more support in interviews, in meetings with clients and in asking for what people need to make the legal system easier to navigate. We will always be accepting and as accommodating as possible. Please do tell us if you need us to make changes during a meeting, for example, we can turn lights down or meet out of the office. We want to help, so tell us what you need. 

Girls and Women with Autism

There is a particular focus on women and girls with autism at the moment as the statistics as to the number of females who have autism have been skewed for years due to the different way girls interact with others when they are younger. More training is needed so that teachers can recognise when a child is covering their difficulties in class so they can blend in. While they may seem to cope they suffer the consequences when they get home frazzled and demoralised. Everyone wants to be loved and feel part of their community. Thank goodness for people like Lesley and the team at Autism Jersey. 

Being Autistic

It is so important to remember that everyone is unique and needs to be treated as such. However, there are certain stereotypical behaviours that an autistic person may exhibit and being able to identify these may help you show more understanding when meeting someone with autism. 

1. Social communication may be a struggle meaning that social interactions can be overwhelming. This may present as or be accompanied by significant anxiety. 

2. Repetitive and restrictive behaviours.

3. Over or under sensitivity to things, for example noise, smells, or lights will be very distressing to some people with autism.

4. High levels of focus on interests or hobbies.

Diagnosis

This can take time and some people avoid seeking a diagnosis because they are scared they (or their children) will be judged. Attitudes are shifting rapidly and hopefully this will change but it also still takes too long for people to be diagnosed. 

Autism Jersey do not diagnose autism but they can signpost you to the various people who can help. You can also contact your GP, you can self refer and you can contact the Jersey Adult Autism Service (JAAS) (gov.je)

The Boutique

The charity does so much for this lovely island. Hopefully you have seen their entrepreneurial shop at 13 The Parade. Their strategic alliances with shops like Marks and Spencer means they not only provide customers with a fantastic choice of clothes at great prices but they save quality garments from landfill. With such a brilliant offering the charity recently held a super fun fashion show and Lizzie Keogh from Corbett Le Quesne was there modelling. Well done Lizzie! Check out the shop here: The Boutique — Autism Jersey

Find out more

If you want to know more about autism and the support available in Jersey contact Autism Jersey via their Autism Jersey or call 871888.

The Autism Jersey Facebook Page is filled with events, information and advice. Check it out here: (20+) Facebook

Autism Jersey (@autismjersey) • Instagram photos and videos