providing support for those affected by
autism and Asperger's syndrome
autism and Asperger's syndrome
News, events and activities
Summer Outing 2010
Another year, another
wonderful summer’s day
out with autism london for
over fifty children, their
families and carers.
Encouraged by all the
requests and suggestions
we received on our last trip,
we decided that this year
we would travel to the
seaside. So on Tuesday
10th August an excited
crowd braved an early start,
and some less than perfect
London weather, to board
our coach at Highbury
bound for the famous
south-coast resort
of
Eastbourne.
It was a long drive, but well worth the wait, as the clouds parted to welcome us into Eastbourne and its beautiful beach-front. Each family went off to explore the town, the pier, and the special beaches and national parks nearby at their own pace, with staff on hand to give them any assistance they might need. One thing almost everyone made sure to try was the fish and chips!
After a day of walking and fresh air, it was a pleasure to climb back onto the coach at the end of the afternoon. Some sticky traffic on the way home couldn’t spoil a lovely day, and everyone was smiling and positive as they said goodbye, a bit later than we had expected! Thank you for all your enthusiasm and kind comments, and we can’t wait to begin planning for next year. We hope to see you all again, and lots of new faces too.
Your feedback:
‘We had a brilliant day. Thank you very much for organising a great day out!’
‘There is not anything to improve; everything was perfect.’
‘...well done to all the staff...’
‘...we all had a good time...’
‘My family enjoyed the trip very much.’
New method of autism diagnosis
Scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) at King’s College London have developed a pioneering new method of diagnosing autism in adults. For the first time, a quick brain scan that takes just 15 minutes can identify adults with autism with over 90 per cent accuracy. The method could lead to the screening for autism spectrum disorders in children in the future.
To read the full KCL release, click here.
Minister visits autism london
mcch and autism london were very pleased to welcome Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, on his visit to autism london's home in Leyton on 2nd March.
The visit came on the eve of the publication of the Adult Autism Strategy, which is the first crucial step in the development of work on autism within the Department of Health. To view the strategy, click here.
The Minister was given a tour of this 3 star 'excellent' rated home, before sitting down for tea and cakes with the residents. Two members of the autism london Asperger Group also joined the Minister and residents. We hope that the Minister could see first hand the potential and challenges that face these individuals and how the strategy may impact on their lives.
BBC Breakfast covered the day's events that can be viewed on their website by clicking on this link .
mcch and autism london recognizes that the forthcoming autism strategy represents a landmark opportunity in transforming services and improving outcomes for adults with autism.
We appreciate having been given the opportunity to make a contribution to the strategy and look forward to seeing the results and working collaboratively to improve the lives of people with autism.
“We are excited by the new autism strategy, as it will provide for clear expectations in delivering better outcomes for people with autism, who for the first time will be recognized as a group with specific support needs. Agencies working together in collaboration will mean better knowledge and understanding of people who live with autism which should improve the life experiences of the people we support. The promotion of greater social inclusion can only serve to assist people to live full and meaningful lives”. Peter Thompson. Chief Executive Designate, mcch and autism london.
BIG LOTTERY RESEARCH FUND
Autism london and stakeholders are delighted to announce that they have received a grant from the Big Lottery Research Programme. Working to gain a better understanding of crimes against people with autism and learning disabilities and how it impacts on their lives Autism London has received £348,333. The Medway based project, Living in Fear: Promoting Better Outcomes for People with Disabilities will use local focus groups and national surveys to research into the nature of hate crime, responses and barriers to reporting, and will identify and address gaps in how crime against people with autism and learning disabilities is recorded and handled by community safety agencies, including the police.
The key aims of the project will be to promote greater safety and well-being within the community, to provide an evidence base to policy makers and improve the support and services on offer to people with autism andlearning disabilities. The three- year project, will be led by Autism London and steered by people with autism and learning disabilities, working in partnership with the Tizzard Centre at the University of Kent, and will benefit over 500 individuals and 20 organisations.
A number of excellent safety initiatives can be found in the UK however there is little robust evidence to inform policy and practice, especially concerning the experiences of people with autism. There is a strong commitment from all the stakeholders in this project, to make a real difference by filling the gaps in knowledge and where necessary, making real and lasting change.
autism london recently hosted a Transitions Conference on Tuesday 24th November 2009.
EMBRACING ASPIRATIONS - Supporting Lifetime transitions with a person centred approach
Key note speaker: Dame Phillippa Russell
Other speakers include: Ros Blackburn & Joe McDaniel
Topics discussed: Young love, Person Centred Planning, National policy and more.
Graham Ogilvie
On Tuesday 24th November autism london hosted a very successful conference titled: Embracing Aspirations: Supporting Lifetime Transitions with a Person Centred Approach. The theme of the conference was Transition as seen from a lifetime perspective and not just from child to adult services.
Dame Philippa Russell who is currently the Chair, Standing Commission on Carers opened the conference with a key note speech on the topic of the national perspective. She referred to the recent publication of Families matter: Think family’ – a National Carers Strategy Carers at the heart of 21st Century Families and Communities’ – a ten year strategy with a vision that ‘by 2018 carers will be universally recognised and valued as being fundamental to strong families and stable communities. It gives Recognition that families go through multiple transitions and that high quality support for their relatives is the best support for carers!
Darren Spillane, Gordan Boxall, Ernest Ricketts
Transition in context – a range of multi-agency policy initiatives affecting disabled young people and their families
- The Independent Living Review
- Putting People First
- Valuing People Now
- Aiming High for Disabled Children
- ODI and Equality 2025
- The Right to Control
- The Autism Strategy
- The Equalities and Human Rights Agenda
- A National Strategy for Carers
- Health and Social Care Bill
- And the ‘big policy drivers’ for disabled young people AND families over the next decade!
- Personalisation - Direct payments and individual budgets – developing the role of families (and disabled young people) as creators of their own personal support and services.
- ‘Putting People First’ – new social care concordat for adult social care, with emphasis on choice and personal control – interesting issues about developing the market place for personal care (and relationship of individual budgets to health and education services).
Ros Blackburn is an adult with autism who at eighteen months was diagnosed very severely autistic but with average intellectual ability. She entertained the audience, giving insight into her own experiences and the care and education practices she has observed. In spite of the severe limitations imposed by her condition, Ros displays great courage (and a strong sense of humour) in facing her fears and tackling life’s challenges.Her position can best be summarised as an insistence on the need for high expectations for people with ASD linked with equally high levels of support.
In a quote from her mother, Ros pleads that one should ‘never make autism the excuse, but help the person overcome the problems caused by it’.
Other speakers included Joe McDaniel who spoke round Person Centre Planning. He was joined by two service users whom he is currently helping develop their plans. Colin Guests spoke on the victimisation of people with autism within the community and Lucia Winters from the National Transition Team informed us on the Legislative framework and the National Policy and guidance that has recently been published. Finally Rea Danielle talked around social and relationship building skills and “Sweet Talk” a group that she facilitates and Daniel McMillan enlightened the audience on “Young Love” the importance of friendships, independence, relationships and sexuality.
All and all it was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day!
If you would like a copy of any of the speakers powerpoint presentations please email: info@autismlondon.org.uk
Autism Bill completes its progress through the House of Commons
The Autism Bill passed its final stage in the House of Lords on 22 October 2009 to become England?s first ever disability-specific law. It received Royal Assent on 12th November, which means that the Bill is officially the Autism Act, under which the Government?s forthcoming adult autism strategy will be legally enforceable and must be published within the next six months.
The Bill is intended to provide better information about the numbers of people with autism and their needs and to improve local planning and delivery of services. The Bill makes provisions in three main areas, relating to information gathering, the delivery of services to people with autism, and the transition to adult services.
The Autism Act will guarantee the introduction of the first-ever adult autism strategy, which will set out how local services should be improved to meet the needs of adults with autism. The strategy will cover a range of issues including health, social care, employment and training and will be accompanied by guidance which places a legal obligation on local authorities and NHS bodies to meet certain requirements. UK Parliament website.
Two recent publications concerning autism
If you are interested to find out more about current political thinking regarding autism and Asperger Syndrome, then read the recent report by the National Audit Office entitled "Supporting People with Autism Throughout Adulthood" or contribute by sending in a response to the Department of Health's Autism Strategy Consultation.
Fact finding visit by senior civil servant
Hugh Taylor (left) talks to a member of the autism london Asperger's Group
On 27th May 2009 autism london received a visit from Hugh Taylor, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, who wished to hear about the issues facing adults with autistic spectrum conditions. Mr Taylor is the most senior civil servant at the Department of Health, so this was an excellent opportunity for autism london to raise issues they wanted considered by the government. Hugh Taylor had discussions with members of the autism london Asperger's Group group and carers and individuals who have been supported through our helpline. It was a very good meeting, and many pertinent points were raised.
Hugh Taylor appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on 15th June to speak about supporting people with autism through adulthood; check here to watch the proceedings.
Gary McKinnon - Support Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society's petition
The 43-year-old, who suffers from Asperger Syndrome, is wanted for trial on charges of hacking into US military networks. SAAS have organised an online petition urging the government to halt the extradition of Gary McKinnon. To sign the petition visit this site
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autism london Aspergers Group (ALAG) meetingsContact Us
Email: info@autismlondon.org.uk
Autism London
23 Salisbury Road,
Leyton,
London
E10 5RG
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