Valuing ‘EVERY’ Autistic Person

AIM launched our Valuing ‘EVERY’ Autistic Person campaign on April 2nd World Autism Awareness Day 2009. Our campaign ran alongside a national campaign to ensure that the Autism Bill introduced by MP Cheryl Gillan in February 2009 became an Act of parliament. The Bill was backed by 16 organisations. AIM was one of those organisations. On the 22nd of October 2009 the Autism Bill became the Autism Act.

Valuing ‘EVERY’ Autistic Person wants to ensure that ‘EVERY’ person on the autistic spectrum is treated equally and valued. We want to see an end to IQ being the cut off point and a barrier for service provision.

The Adults Autism Strategy was published on March 3rd 2010. To ensure that the Autism Act delivered the change that so many autistic adults desperately need the Strategy needed to be strongly worded. Although the Strategy sets out a number of key actions and recommendations, which AIM of course welcomes, the wording of the Strategy is, in our opinion, far too weak.

AIM has always believed that the Strategy will require a vehicle to power it to ensure that all of the main players, including autistic adults and parents and carers, can come together to find the best way forward for change. Autistic Adults have waited a very long time for something that can at last begin to address their specific and often complex needs. At the moment there is no vehicle to drive it the Strategy forward.

Autism does not sit neatly into any other disability box. While AIM understands that the current economic climate is not good, we would like it to be remembered that this is the very first autism specific initiative that autistic adults have had. Our best hope of making sure that the Strategy delivers it’s much needed promise is to ensure that the Strategy is not fragmented.

AIM is very aware that for some autistic adults especially those with Aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism there are no appropriate services for them to access in many areas. This is something that must be urgently addressed. At the moment when an autistic adult has to access provision that provision will often treat the symptoms that the adult is presenting with as opposed to the cause. We need a far greater understanding and awareness of autism not only by members of the public but also by the professionals that are supporting and treating our autistic adults.

AIM’s campaign ‘Valuing ‘Every’ Autistic Person’ already has over one thousand two hundred parents/carers and autistic adults who have added their names in support of what we believe is needed to drive forward the Adult Strategy.

AIM believes that the Strategy requires Autism Specific Partnership Boards to drive it forward. Partnership Boards whose remit is solely wrapped around autistic adults, who will also work closely with Children’s Services to ensure that the transition from child to adult’s services is as seamless as possible and that children are not lost to provision in during that transition.

These Partnership Boards could be set up in a similar way to the Learning Disability Partnership Boards but would be totally autism specific and would also include autistic adults who have a learning disability.

This is the only way that we can start to address the needs of all autistic adults, because although some autistic adults do have a learning disability their autism must not be neglected, would be via Autism Partnership Boards.

Learning disability services are not specifically designed to meet the needs of autistic adults who have a learning disability. Partnership Boards would be responsible for those elements of the Government’s proposals which relate to services for adults with autism.

An Autism Partnership Board would operate within the overall framework provided by Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs).

(LSPs) offer a framework for local partnership working, bringing together public, private, community and voluntary sectors in order to provide effective co-ordination.

Proposals for partnership working in relation to autism will fit within the overall umbrella offered by LSPs.

Close links between Autism Partnership Boards and LSPs will ensure a common direction and help to address wider issues, such as access to other local services, including transport.

Autism Partnership Boards will be responsible for:

It would be the responsibility of the chief executive of the local council to ensure that the Partnership Board is in place. Membership should include senior representatives from social services, health bodies (health authorities, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)), education, housing, community development, leisure, independent providers, and the employment service.

Representatives of people with autism and carers must be enabled to take part as full members. Minority ethnic representation will be important in view of the Government’s commitment that their needs should not be overlooked. An Autism Development Fund and Implementation Support Team would need to be established.

While AIM is fully aware that not all Learning Disability Partnership Boards are working as well as they could be in some areas, we are also aware that some are now delivering and that the good working practice that has been developed by successful Learning Disabilities Partnership Boards could be used to help set up Autism Partnership Boards.

The Autism Communities best hope of this strategy making the difference that is needed to build a better future for autistic adults will be to have autism specific providers, users, developers commissioners and policy writers under one umbrella where all of the main players and stakeholders can meet on a regular basis and can together plan the way ahead for autism services, provision, resources, training and awareness.

There has never been a better time to engage with Local Authorities and PCTs. We can all make a difference and be the change that we all would like to see.

Ten thousand people muttering to themselves will never be heard but ten thousand people speaking together with ‘One Voice’ can make a difference.

You can keep up with our progress by following AIM on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=65397091414

And also via our AIM Blogs

http://aim-one-voice.blogspot.com/

http://aim1he.blog.co.uk/

Or you can support our Campaign by contacting us at aim1voice@btinternet.com