A FLINTSHIRE artist whose painting of her autistic son formed part of an art exhibition says there is insufficient supported living for young adults with autism.

Zoe Ellis-Moore's, from Mold, painting of her 27-year-old autistic son was on display at the North Wales Open Art Exhibition at Theatr Clwyd.

She says she was compelled paint a snapshot of her son Joe in his supported living flat in Birkenhead, with Joe's sombre complexion capturing hin unhappiness about having to move away from home.

Zoe says there are extremely limited supported living facilities and provision for young autistic adults in the Flintshire area.

She said: "It's an ongoing issue for young adults with autism in our area, and in my experience one of the worst things you can do is send them away from home - away from their loved ones.

"But there currently isn't an option other than do to this - there has to be a stepping stone between their education and employment, in the form of supported living facilities that allow for the to live independently but with support workers close by.

"I know lots of local families of people with autism feel the same way."

Supported living is used to describe the arrangement whereby someone who already has, or who wants their own tenancy or own home, also has support from a 'care and support' provider to help them live as independently and safely as possible.

Talking about the inspiration for the portrait - titled 'Autistic Moment' - Zoe said the photograph captured Joe's unhappiness perfectly.

She said: "Whilst flicking through my photos after returning home, I was incredibly moved by how one of the photos I had taken had seemed to capture the very essence of his autism and his unhappiness - and I just had to paint it."

The painting was on display at Theatr Clwyd from the end of June until last Friday.

Flintshire Council was approached for a comment.