Richard Ibbotson National Director Scotland Catherine Steedman Deputy Director Scotland We need a shared understanding of the person with autism and a partnership approach that demonstrates that we have power with not power over the person with autism, to develop a range of personalised approaches. We use these personalised approaches to support the person with autism to develop strategies from/through which they acquire and use the skills they need which in turn supports them to become an independent and valued citizen. COSPA 18,13218,557 Autism Learning Difficulties Anxiety Complex needs Limited choice making No control over daily life No control over major life decisions Negative reputation Communication challenges Complex family involvement Inconsistent expectations Poor understanding of motivations what makes Steven tick Fundamental review of communication Development of a communication system that works for him (key ring picture system) Focus on what makes Steven feel safe what does he understand about his environment and the people around him Move away from a behavioural focus Fill life with positive and successful experiences COSPA 18,13218,557 Aspergers syndrome Anxiety disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder He rarely went out Echolalia increased Quality of communication decreased Extremely poor quality of life Increased likelihood of severe mental illness Unhappiness No family involvement Other peoples expectations James expectations He needed to engage with psychiatry and health professionals Key was a named worker, who co-ordinated communications and took the pressure away from James Person-centred working and planning Trust, predictability, honesty, power-with Used his preferred communication - visual aids, notes, knocking signals, through doors, social stories ands. Adapted our communication to support James to have choices and express his opinions Liaising with all health and social work professionals Time to build resilience A safety net Staff profiles sent before meetings Telephone appointments Shared understanding of remit with other agencies Meetings at his house, meetings at the GP surgery A One Stop Shop, not because it is one place you go to, but because we can provide everything you need in a flexible, person-centred way We provide the widest range of services to autistic people, their families and professionals working for autistic people Individual level workshops to learn from others, social opportunities, counselling-type service, pre diagnostic and post diagnostic work, preventative services Community level training, education, advice, weaved throughout local autism strategies in the areas we work Edinburgh, Perth and Highlands Analysing the statistics Feedback from our evaluations Skye, Caithness, Lochaber drop-ins Working with schools Fort William Late diagnosis group at a distance Local focus groups what is wanted Mapping whats already around Getting the environment right Drop in - table tennis, gaming, scrabble, cards, playing with others 1:1 during the drop-in times 1:1s in and around the area Very flexible meet someone on the way there and someone on the way back! Take people to the drop-in venue Meet with employers and other agencies while there Unexpected outcome parent support group Skye - 19 Caithness 20 Lochaber - 11 Two school teachers working in Fort William pre and post diagnostic work Visit schools, training support teachers, helping the autistic children to define autism Post diagnostic work they had nothing Head in Kinlochleven great! Wants to help, recognises she and her team need to know more Replication Dingwall next Autism Strategy Development funding Remote Late Diagnosis group 10-week Late Diagnosis group to rural areas Sensory integration; relationships; employment; education; childhood; mental health; lifestyle; communication; the brain Isle of Lewis Wider areas Increased use of IT But we need funding to continue!