News Release, 30 May 2001
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, has produced a new guide to help planners and providers of services for people with an autistic spectrum disorder implement the principles of the latest White Paper. The Guide to Services for Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders for Commissioners and Providers contains vital information for professionals, including care managers, GPs, psychologists, social workers and community nurses.
It is estimated that there are half a million people in the UK with an autistic spectrum disorder, with diagnosis on the increase. The learning disabilities White Paper, Valuing People, stresses the importance of person-centred planning specifically for adults with autism, whereas previously Government policy has concentrated on generic services. The Guide sets out the possibilities for services tailored to suit individual needs.
"The task of finding appropriate services in this specialist area can be daunting" said Hazel Morgan, head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, "and that is why a thorough understanding of autistic spectrum disorders is vital at this level. For too long adults with autistic spectrum disorders have been treated as if they all have the same needs. At last the White Paper has set out a new way forward for services and this Guide can help professionals put the principle of person-centred planning into practice and set up innovative models of service delivery."
The Guide explains what is meant by the term autistic spectrum disorders and how they are diagnosed as well as giving an overview of current services. Crucially, it stresses the importance of seeing diagnosis as the first step in an ongoing process - an adult's needs will change over time so there should be a constant review of services. The Guide also encourages service providers and commissioners to move away from traditional models of residential and day provision, and to look instead at alternative methods of supporting people, such as supported tenancies and employment schemes.
The Guide to Services for Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders for Commissioners and Providers also covers guidelines on how to measure the quality of services and a set of principles upon which services should be based. These include:
- Ensuring that services meet individual needs.
- Strong links with external professionals such as psychiatrists and speech therapists who have a thorough knowledge of autistic spectrum disorders.
- Involving family members in care planning.
- Staff training in autism-specific skills.
- Registration with recognised external quality audit measures.
A Guide to Services for Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders for Commissioners and Providers Report, January 2001. Is available to download in PDF format.
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Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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