WHEN Jacci Phillips' son was four years old, he was expelled from his playgroup. The news came as a shock as, at home, Adam was as good as gold.

However, it was the first sign that perhaps something wasn't quite right.

Jacci says: "They wanted him to be a wise man in the Christmas play, but he point blank refused and said he didn't believe in God.

"He was very astute despite being so young. We always thought perhaps something wasn't quite right but, until he was expelled, we had done nothing about it.

"Then he started seeing child psychologists and doctors to see if there was anything wrong with him."

Ten years later and Jacci still hasn't received a diagnosis for Adam's condition. But after years of research and reading round the subject she is convinced he has Asperger's syndrome - a form of autism that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others.

One of the signs of Asperger's is average or above average intelligence - and Adam is no different. At the age of 10 he had passed all the tests being given to him for a normal 18-year-old.

Now, at 14, Jacci says he writes amazing stories and has an extremely vivid imagination.

But, sadly, due to the lack of any kind of support group in Worcestershire, the majority of information she has found out about the condition and how to approach it has been through books - until now.

For half of the week, Jacci works as a Community Service Volunteers action producer at BBC Hereford & Worcester - a position she job shares with her colleague Sue Broome. Their job entails looking at issues within the local community and raising awareness of things like support groups.

At Christmas last year, both became aware of the increasing number of calls they were receiving from parents of children with Asperger's and other autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) who didn't know where to turn next. Aware that there was no specific help and support out there in the county, they decided to take action and change this.

So, for the last six months they have been working to secure help from Autism West Midlands and the Worcestershire Parent Partnership Service to secure funding and set up their own support group in the county.

This Friday, Rollercoaster - the new autism resource group - opens its doors for the first time at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Centre in Droitwich Road, Worcester.

"Anyone who has experienced Asperger syndrome or ASD will know why we chose that name," Jacci said. "One minute everything can be doing great and you are feeling on top of the world, and then things can go up and down almost immediately."

Rollercoaster is open for anyone who wants to learn more about the condition and gain expert advice, information and support from people who have been there and have hands-on experience of ASD and Asperger's.

"I know from experience that talking to someone who knows what it's like is invaluable," Jacci said.

"It can be just little things like an exchange of ideas.

"I remember not being able to get Adam in the bath when he was younger - and then when I did eventually get him there, I couldn't get him back out.

"I spoke to another parent who said she used a cooking timer - she told her son that when it rang he had to get in the bath, and when it went off again it was time to get out.

"By explaining things literally and giving boundaries he was able to understand - and it worked perfectly for Adam too."

Sue said she is delighted that the group is about to get up and running.

"Initially we want to get people's ideas. There is no set regime in place yet. The group will all be about listening to what people want and trying to provide them with that.

"If they want expert advice on a particular issue then we will do our best to facilitate that. If they want a day out socialising then we can accommodate that too.

"Initially we are thinking that the meetings will be once every term or half-term. But between times, we are hoping members will sign up to our buddy scheme and be there on the other end of the phone when anyone needs help or support.

"Most of all, it will be friendly."

The first meeting is from 10am to noon on Friday and there will be information from Anna Thompson of Autism West Midlands.

If you are interested in attending call Sue or Jacci on 0845 300 5006 between 9am and 4pm.