BAS have been lobbying for many years for better services for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, particularly Asperger Syndrome.

In March 2004 a conference was held in Maidenhead Town Hall which highlighted the needs of this group of people ( Services for adults/conference)

Amongst other speakers, Andrew Powell, from the National Autistic Society, presented the findings from his report ‘Taking Responsibility’ which gives practical advice on how to provide and manage services for adults with AS.  

Recent NAS figures suggest that 1 in 100 people have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, with over half of these having an IQ equivalent to normal or high. In Windsor and Maidenhead this could mean more than 1200 individuals in total (children and adults) including 700 people who are aged 20 or over and having a normal or higher IQ.

Although services for children are increasing in number and quality, as awareness of ASD increases, services for adults, particularly those without a learning disability, are still sadly lacking or non-existent.

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, and help with social activities, as all too often adults with Asperger Syndrome lead lonely and isolated lives.  

As a result of the 2004 Conference, the post of Development Worker has been created in Windsor and Maidenhead.

Helen Harris has been appointed to the post, and her remit is to work with the local authority and service providers to ensure that appropriate services are in place for adults (19+) with Asperger Syndrome.

The project, originally running for one year, will now continue until the end of 2008 (two years in total). Helen is seeking to contact all adults with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder in the Windsor and Maidenhead area to discuss their needs and service provision, although the project focuses particularly on those who do not have a learning disability or a mental health problem, as this group tends to ‘fall through the net’ more than most when it comes to local services.

She has also conducted an audit of numbers of people aged 14-18 with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Windsor and Maidenhead, as it is essential that the local authority is aware of numbers of individuals who will be requiring services as adults, to ensure effective future planning.

Please contact her if you are an adult with ASD or a professional working with people with ASD. She wants to hear from you!

Her contact details are as follows: 

Mobile phone:07731 855377, Tuesdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm and Thursdays between 12 noon and 5.00 pm.

E-mail: Helen@autismberkshire.org.uk .

A report of the findings resulting from the development work during the first 6 months of 2007 has been produced . The report is confidential to RBWM but the Executive Summary is availabe on this website.