General Chat

I know there are quite a few members on here who have experience in dealing with adults who have autism in their families or have experience in their work.

I'm just posting this in the hope that it may help someone.


We really need to make sure that these vulnerable people get the best possible advice and support and, to this end, we need to enquire as to what our local councils are doing to meet the needs of adults with autism in our areas.

I am part of a group which consists of health and social care professionals, the NAS and 3 parents. We are fortunate in that we have the support of our local MPs.

We have put together the strategy for our area and, later in March, we are launching the new Borough Adult Autism Assessment Service which is a great step forward.

Here are the guidelines which your local council should be looking at:



On 17th December, 2010, the Government published statutory guidance for local councils and local NHS bodies setting out what they ought to do to ensure they meet the needs of adults with autism in England - all thanks to the Autism Act of 2009.

The Statutory Guidance is quite clear stating categorically that local authorities and the NHS :

1. Should provide autism awareness training for all staff

2. Must provide special autism training for all key staff, such as Gps and community Care Assessors

3. Cannot refuse a Community Care Assessment for adults with autism based solely on IQ.

4. Must appoint an autism lead in their area

5. Have to develop a clear pathway to diagnosis and assessment for adults with autism
6. Need to deliver services based on adequate population data.



The recent budget cuts certainly do not help things but we need to keep fighting to raise awareness of this condition and the effect that it has on people's lives.


Cx

Nudge for Cynthia

I have passed this on to someone who has a grown up son recently diagnosed.

Lizx

This is alwes useful to see and to make others aware of Autism. I'm the mother of two young people with Autism as as my father, brother, nephews and a niece with the condition. When my eldest was diagnosed at 7 it wasn't such a shock to me as it was for other parents hearing for the first time as I had grown up surrounded by it (though at the time my Dad and brother were undiagnosed it was evident my son mirrored them). My youngest was diagnosed with complex needs/Autism when she was two she was and is a carbon copy of my Dads mother. Thank you for this thread hope it helps some and makes others more aware x

You're welcome FA.

My daughter has many traits passed on by her father's side of the family. She was 32 before she was diagnosed but, once we understood more about the condition, my husband could trace it back to his grandmother and several of her children.


Liz, is that the same person you mentioned quite a while ago? Hope this is useful to her.


Cx