|
BAS have been lobbying for some time for better services for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, particularly Asperger Syndrome.
In this context, a conference was held on 19th March in Maidenhead Town Hall, chaired by Pam Proctor, lead council member for Social Services. The Conference was organised by Garry Nixon, of Windsor and Maidenhead Social Services in collaboration with BAS. It was attended by managers from health, education and social services from across Berkshire, and by adults with AS from BAS’s membership, and their parents or carers.
The Conference heard how ‘People with autism or Asperger Syndrome are amongst the most vulnerable and socially excluded in our society. Very few have jobs, live in their own homes or have choice over who cares for them.’ These were the findings of a recent report from the National Autistic Society (NAS), and findings that are borne out by the experiences of Berkshire Autistic Society (BAS), particularly in relation to their adult members for whom services are often non-existent.
The problem is that Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a hidden disability, one that all too often is not recognised or understood, even by the support services, including the medical profession. Someone with AS may on the outside appear to be perfectly normal, but in reality, they may have profound difficulties in coping with everyday life without some level of support and often lead lonely and unfulfilled lives.
AS can affect people to different degrees. At one end of the spectrum they may need a good deal of support while at the other, very little. Someone with AS may know how to programme a computer but may not know how to carry out basic skills such as cooking, cleaning, paying bills and so on.
It is thought that there could be as many as 5,500 people over the age of 20 in Berkshire with an autistic spectrum disorder, and of these, as many as 2,000 with AS.
In order to address this problem, Ann Taylor, Chairman of BAS, outlined the complex needs of adults with AS.
Andrew Powell, from the National Autistic Society, presented the findings from his recent report ‘Taking Responsibility’ which gives practical advice on how to provide and manage services for adults with AS.
Karen Rivers, a woman of 37 with AS gave a moving account of her life and showed how obtaining a low level of support had turned her life around.
Gary Nixon presented figures on current spend on adults with AS, often on out of county placements, and it was felt that solutions which were not only more cost effective, but better for the individual, being in their own locality, could be provided by setting up better services within Berks.
People with AS and their parents had their say as to what they needed in the way of support services. This included better access to a formal diagnosis of their condition and easier access to services. Currently there is not enough expertise in Berkshire for diagnosis of adults, and even with a diagnosis it is unclear whose responsibility it is to provide the support. People also need support into employment, supported housing schemes, help in education in so that they can access both mainstream courses and courses in life skills.
The main recommendation from the Conference was that a Development Worker should be appointed in the first instance, who would take responsibility for setting up services for this group of adults. It was felt that this would be a practical first step in a long neglected area.
The senior managers present, Allan Brown, Head of Community Care, and Jim Gould, Director of Social Services, both from Windsor and Maidenhead, agreed to take the proposal forward with senior planners in Berkshire.
Ann Taylor. 22nd March 2004.
|
