AN AUTISTIC teenager has been recognised for her inspiring work mentoring children with the condition.

Lucy King, who volunteers at an autism group, has been put forward in the “outstanding achievement by an individual on the autism spectrum category” at the 2017 Autism Professional Awards.

The 17-year-old is head girl at LVS Hassocks in Sayers Common, a school for children with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

She was inspired by the nurturing support from the school and chose to pursue a leadership role to help others with autism.

Lucy has become a valued staff member at Children on the Autistic Spectrum Parents Association after attending the group herself. This developed into her taking on a volunteer role in 2012.

Now she helps more than a hundred children with games, crafts and life skills each week, despite her autism and balancing school and exams preparation.

She said: “I enjoy the responsibility of helping younger people with autism as I can pass on my knowledge and experiences having grown up with it.

“I like seeing them enjoy themselves and take a lot of pride in being able to help with their learning experience because of my knowledge of autism spectrum disorder.”

Such has been Lucy’s impact as role model young people can identify with, she is now a paid member of staff. She now wants to use her experience to help further in autism education.

Lucy has also dedicated time in school to help others. Last year she began student mentoring in cooking classes at LVS Hassocks, requesting adjustments to her timetable so she could support younger learners and help less able youngsters with autism to prepare ingredients, cook and wash up.

As an ambassador for the school she represented LVS Hassocks at the Patron’s Lunch on The Mall last year to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of the school and her 90th birthday.

Director of special educational needs at LVS Hassocks Sarah Sherwood said: “Lucy is an inspiration to all of our students with the way she has developed throughout her time at the school and we were delighted to nominate her as recognition for the work she does to help children who are experiencing similar things to what she has been through.

“Her desire and ability to successfully work with the autism association is amazing alongside her studies for exams she is sitting here and other co-curricular activities that she enjoys here. Lucy should be very proud of her achievements.”

A shortlist for the award will be announced this month and the award ceremony is on March 7.