THIS week is Autism Awareness Week (April 1-7) and one mum is taking steps to make sure that businesses and visitor attractions sit up and take notice.

Cirencester resident Vic Buchalik, whose eight year old son Jimmy has autism, has set up an online community at harddaysout.com, where attractions are reviewed and visitors with additional needs are given information to make their day out that bit easier.

The National Autistic Society states that the condition is “much more common than many people think”, with about 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK - more than 1 in 100.

One of the challenges faced by parents or carers of children with autism is how to organise a suitable day out and make it fun for all involved. With the Easter holidays approaching, families in the Cotswolds will be planning trips out, to the many parks, arboretums and other venues across the area.

However, for many families who have children with additional needs, some activities can be challenging.

Vic explained: “Some days you feel that autism dominates and in ways it does.”

She added: “Despite this, as a family we like to try out new things, we push through the treacle and take autism out of its comfort zone.”

For Vic, and many other families who have an individual with additional needs, it involves a lot of planning and preparation to ensure the day out runs as smoothly as possible.

“Children with autism can struggle with change, loud noises, crowds and many other sensory issues”, she said.

“For us we know how important it is to do a bit of research before trying a new venue.”

After finding it hard to get the information needed beforehand on whether attractions had facilities such as fast passes, carer passes and enclosed areas, Vic soon realised that a lot of venues were not catering for the needs of both hidden and visible additional needs or disabilities in a transparent way.

Vic believed that if she was struggling there must be hundreds of other families in the same position who needed help making these hard days out easier.

She also wondered why for many years all this useful information wasn’t being centrally shared to help other families and individuals who have autism.

Deciding to change things, she set up online community harddaysout.com, where venues are regularly reviewed to help give parents and carers the helpful knowledge before they set off.

The website lists museums, attractions, days out, shops, restaurants, classes, leisure/sports and events, with the main focus on Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, but also stretching out to review venues including Oxfordshire, Bath and Bristol.

The team thoroughly research the venues and write reviews on how days out for families with children additional needs could be more manageable and enjoyable.

It also aims to be pro-active and work alongside these venues so that all families can benefit.

Venues reviewed include Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water, Jack’s Cafe in Cirencester, Bibury Trout Farm, Butt’s Farm and Cattle Country Adventure Park.

Vic is hoping that businesses will embrace the idea and come on board as partners. Cotswold Leisure Centre in Cirencester is among those to have already partnered with Hard Days Out.

Another local business Titch Tetley Photography has worked with Hard Days Out to provide training and guidance.

Owner Katharine Tetley said: “A photography shoot can be an extremely stressful experience for children with additional needs and this in turn results in a lot of upset and stress for parents.

“I wanted to offer these families an opportunity to have a photography shoot, safe in the knowledge that I would work with them both before and during the shoot to ensure everyone is as comfortable and relaxed as possible”.

Katherine now works on a detailed questionnaire before shoots with customers to discuss the needs of the children in greater detail.

On a personal level Vic and her family were desperate to get some family photos. “One of my favourite places to visit is Westonbirt Arboretum, however, capturing the kids having fun isn’t that easy.

“Titch Tetley ensured we had a fun and enjoyable time, and we got some gorgeous family shots”.

Visit harddaysout.com for more information and email vicki@harddaysout.com if your venue would like to be reviewed or become a partner.