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Speaking on World Autism Day, Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said 'great strides' had been made in improving access to autism services.

In particular Mr Matheson highlighted the establishment of six new one-stop shops since the Scottish Strategy for Autism’s launch in November 2011 where people with autism and their families can get support and information. These centres, in Dunfermline, Inverness, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth, are added to those already in operation in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Services are provided by Scottish Autism, National Autistic Society Scotland and Autism Initiatives.

The new centres are funded as part of the Strategy which sets out 26 recommendations for improving the quality of life for people with autism and their carers.

Mr Matheson said: “The new one-stop shops really demonstrates what we are trying to achieve in our Autism Strategy. They bring local services closer to those who need them most, helping people to get support and build up networks. We are now into year three of a ten year plan. Some great strides have already been made, but we're under no illusion that there's more work to be done before we get to where we want to be."

Many initiatives have been funded under the Strategy since November 2011, and some of the key ones include:

• Working with the British Institute for Learning Disability - a Scottish edition of the Institute's Good Autism Practice Journal has been produced, showcasing examples of innovative autism good practice work in Scotland. This was launched at a successful event in November 2013 and is available for free online
• A 'Menu of interventions' has also been developed in collaboration with autism professionals , people with autism and their parents and carers. The Menu gives an overview of different interventions and techniques, and sets out the referral and assessment process that can be applied across the country. This will be launched at a special event in May and disseminated via a series of road shows across Scotland throughout the summer
• A mapping project has also been carried out to establish what autism services are available in each locality. A Service Map was provided to each local authority to help them plan services and identify priority areas for action. Strategy funding was also given to each local authority to develop a local Autism Action Plan and the Service Maps have been helpful in informing the development of these

Mr Matheson added: "Our vision when setting out our strategy was that people with autism should be respected, accepted and valued in their communities, and that they should have services that enable them to have meaningful lives. There is no room for complacency, but I think we are well on the way to achieving that goal."

World Autism Awareness Day has been a designated United Nations day since 2007 and is celebrated every year on 2 April.

The Scottish Government has been working with Autism Network Scotland to pull together a schedule of various activities and special events happening locally across Scotland to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Event information will be posted on the Network’s website and a link to this provided on the Strategy website at www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk.

Background

The Scottish Strategy for Autism can be viewed here: www.autismstrategyscotland.org

Autism Network Scotland
Supported by funding from the Scottish Government, the Network supports the strategy recommendations by hosting the Autism Strategy website and serving as a reliable information hub for individuals, families, carers and professionals. It creates opportunities for sharing knowledge and information through its virtual forums and networks, and supports organisations in responding to gaps in knowledge and understanding, service provision, professional development and research. The Network also serves as a catalyst for sharing examples of good practice amongst professionals.

Members of the Network are also active on the Autism Strategy Reference Group and Subgroups.

The Network has hosted and facilitated a series of Learning Events in support of the strategy:

• An event to launch both the Autism Strategy and the Network websites
• An event in conjunction with the Autism Mapping Project team aimed at gathering opinions and experiences of people working to improve the lives of people with autism around the country
• A ‘Tackling Transitions’ Seminar which enabled practitioners to come together to problem solve and share experiences with professionals from a wide range of disciplines
• An event for local authorities to support them in development of their Action Plans/Strategies
• An employment seminar to showcase employment success stories and launch Subgroup 4’s ‘Employment