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