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Shared Vision. Local Action.

Autism Awareness Week

1st – 7th October 2007

good planning makes a real difference

People with autism and their families are often dependent on the provision of good quality education, care and support services if they are to reach their potential and enjoy a good quality of life.

Those services are typically commissioned by local authority children’s services departments, adult social services departments and by primary care trusts.

Despite the fact that there are over 600,000 people with autism in the UK and that, very often, the provision of those services to individuals can be very expensive, it remains the case that in many parts of the UK, the planning and commissioning of those services remains poor and does not focus the needs of those with autism living in local communities.

The consequence of this ineffective planning is that resources are not best used and too many people with autism and/or their families do not receive the services they need. People with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome are particularly vulnerable.

People with autism and their families need local commissioners to demonstrate a proper understanding of the needs of people with autism living in their communities and to develop and implement appropriate commissioning plans to ensure that people with autism and their families receive the education, support and care services they need.

People with autism and their families need central government to require of commissioners that they make such plans and to ensure that they receive adequate resources for their implementation.

During autism awareness week we shall be:

  • Raising media awareness of our campaign for improved planning of services to people with autism
  • Direct mailing commissioners with a leaflet seeking improved planning of services to people with autism
  • Distributing posters to raise awareness and to gain support for our campaign for improved planning of services to people with autism
  • Encouraging people with autism and/or their carers to write to their directors of children’s or adult’s services requesting copies of their commissioning policies/plans for people with autism
  • Encouraging people with autism and/or their carers to write to the Prime Minister calling for improved planning of services to people with autism
  • Holding a high profile event to publicise the campaign for improved services to people with autism

The campaign leaflet, poster and template letters to directors of services and the Prime Minister can be downloaded below.

An update will be posted on the website following Autism Awareness Week.

Further Information and Updates on Autism Awareness Week
National Autism Awareness Week launches in London
Autism: a hidden disability (Video)

Downloads
A4 Poster (pdf)
A4 Leaflet (pdf)
Campaign Letter (doc)

 

 

Commissioning and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The Autism Alliance is aware that the development of commissioning plans for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is in its infancy across the country. It is critical that the government and all commissioning bodies develop and implement well informed strategic and commissioning plans in order for the needs of up to 600,000 people across England to be addressed appropriately.

There is clear evidence that the development of appropriate and timely services and interventions for people with ASD will both impact positively on their lives and save money. In order to assist commissioning bodies discharge their responsibility to identify and address this significant group of peoples needs the Alliance has developed the attached guide to best practice for local authorities to reference.

The guide is based on the DfES and Audit Commission document "Outcomes Driving Commissioning Good Practice Toolkit". Members of the Alliance would welcome the opportunity to work with commissioning bodies to positively assist in the development of strategic and commissioning plans.

Download Commissioning Document