Wednesday 02 Apr 2008 @ 13:03
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Improving autism services
New guidance is to be made available to enhance community health and social care services for people with autism.
The guidance, which coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, will offer best practice examples as well as recommendations including awareness training for all staff and involving people with autism in the planning of services.
An Autism Toolkit is also being developed to offer guidance to education authorities and schools in identifying and supporting children and young people with autism.
Minister for Public Health Robison said:
"It is of great importance that we support people with autism, enabling them to make choices about their lives and lifestyles and promote independence and inclusion.
"Much work has already been done in Scotland to improve autism services, including assessment and diagnosis, information and training.
"However, many individuals with autism and their families still find it difficult to access relevant services at the right time.
"The new guidance I am announcing today will support professionals and those who put in place adult social services to reach better informed decisions on what types of services are best.
"There is recognition at an international level of the developments here in Scotland and I hope we can continue to work together to improve education, services and support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and to bring about real change for all concerned."
Commenting on the Autism Toolkit, Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, who is due to visit a project in Carluke which supports people with autism said:
"People are our greatest asset and we have a duty to ensure that everyone has the chance to play their part in a more successful Scotland.
"The Autism Toolkit we are developing will help schools to better understand how they can give support to young people with autism and encourage their development."
The Autism Toolkit is due to be launched later this year
Related Information
The guidance, which coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, will offer best practice examples as well as recommendations including awareness training for all staff and involving people with autism in the planning of services.
An Autism Toolkit is also being developed to offer guidance to education authorities and schools in identifying and supporting children and young people with autism.
Minister for Public Health Robison said:
"It is of great importance that we support people with autism, enabling them to make choices about their lives and lifestyles and promote independence and inclusion.
"Much work has already been done in Scotland to improve autism services, including assessment and diagnosis, information and training.
"However, many individuals with autism and their families still find it difficult to access relevant services at the right time.
"The new guidance I am announcing today will support professionals and those who put in place adult social services to reach better informed decisions on what types of services are best.
"There is recognition at an international level of the developments here in Scotland and I hope we can continue to work together to improve education, services and support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and to bring about real change for all concerned."
Commenting on the Autism Toolkit, Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, who is due to visit a project in Carluke which supports people with autism said:
"People are our greatest asset and we have a duty to ensure that everyone has the chance to play their part in a more successful Scotland.
"The Autism Toolkit we are developing will help schools to better understand how they can give support to young people with autism and encourage their development."
The Autism Toolkit is due to be launched later this year
Related Information
