1 Developing an Autism Strategy
Content of Presentation Brief background to TRFS Development of our strategy The work of the strategy o For people with autism & their families o For our staff o For external partners 2
Background to TRFS Been in existence since 1993 Began as mental health provider Range of support needs & services Support over 2000 people Around 250 people with autism 3
Positive Behaviour Team First team of its kind in Scotland Internal specialist resource Training, advice & practice development 80% of referrals are autism-related Autism Advisor as part of the team 4
Positive Behaviour Support Person-centred approach to behaviour Not just about behaviour Aim is to help the person live a full life Proven success for people with autism Recognised in Keys to Life 5
6 TRFS Autism Strategy
Developing our Strategy Consultation with people with autism Autism Audit of our services Link with outcomes approach Link with Scottish Gov strategy Developing organisational focus on autism 7
Consulting with People On language On images On their priorities 8
Autism is not who I am I am my own person 9
Autism Audit Created a database of autism services Audit of training Check understanding re key issues o Sensory differences o Environmental issues o Communication 10
The Strategy Our commitments to o People with autism & their families o Our staff o External partners 11
12 Launching the Strategy
People with Autism & Their Families 13
People with Autism Introducing an outcomes-based approach Consultation on autism developments Regular newsletter for local events Involving supported individuals in training Developing Aspergers-specific training 14
Families & Carers Support and training around behaviour Direct work with carers Positive Pathways Providing information and resources Working in partnership with carer agencies Special events weekend retreat 15
Positive Pathways National Scottish Government ASD Fund grant PBS training to carers of people with ASD Training delivered all round Scotland 5-day programme, over 6 months Over 150 family carers attended 16
Positive Pathways Local Extended this to locally funded programmes Working with a number of LA s Combines training & direct support Home visits and consultation sessions Significant focus on Aspergers 17
18 Our Staff
Staff Training Half-day Autism Awareness for all staff 1-day Autism Skills for specific staff 4-day Autism Advanced for specific services PDA in Management of Behaviour Support Linked to NES framework 19
Management Training (PDA) Year-long, practice-based course Significant emphasis on autism Aimed at skilling-up first line managers Accredited by Edinburgh Napier University Accepted by SSSC for registration 20
Practice Development Good Autism Practice Group Knowledge sharing Professional development Keeping updated re recent research Range of autism-related topics 21
22 External Partners
Autism & Complex Needs Lessons from Winterbourne Developing local specialist services Enabling people to move back home Supporting the most complex needs Working to reduce use of restrictions 23
Promoting Best Practice Work with SG Strategy Sub-Group Contributing to research in autism Evaluation and evidence-based practice o BILD Award for Positive Pathways o Care Accolades for Positive Pathways o Published in Good Autism Practice journal 24
Assessment Work Post-diagnosis needs assessment Sensory integration assessments Social skills assessments Functional analysis of behaviours 25
Work in Schools Introducing PBS in local schools Working with children with autism o Transitions o School-refusal o Challenges in family home o Isolation in schools 26
our job is not to fix people, but to design effective environments Challenging Behaviour: a unified approach, Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Psychological Society & Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, June2007 27
28 Thank You!