Support for Adults with Autism

Spectrum Conditions in Trafford

Dr. Anna Dodd –Clinical Psychologist ( Autism Lead GMW Mental Health

Trust)

Geraldine Thompson-Curran – Team Manager Trafford Extended Services

(GMW)

Jane Forrest – Autism Support Coordinator ( CWP NHS Trust)

“Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives” The Adult Autism Strategy

2010 (updated “Think Autism” 2014)

Autism affects more than 1 in 100 people

The Vision

All adults with autism are able to live fulfilling and

rewarding lives within a society that accepts and

understands them”

Goals of the strategy

• Each local area to appoint an Autism Lead

• Progress in local areas audited by Department of Health

• Pathway for assessments and diagnosis

• Greater understanding and awareness

• Improving access to the services and support that will help adults to live independently

• Helping people into work

• Enabling local partners to plan and develop appropriate services for adults with Autism

Membership of Trafford’s Autism Partnership Board

• Trafford Council (chair)

• Trafford CCG

• People with autism and family members

• Trafford Carers Centre

• GMW Mental Health Trust

• Greater Manchester Police

• CWP (Community Learning Disability Team)

• Trafford Housing Trust

• Local voluntary sector Providers:

– Trafford CIL

– ASGMA

– UR (Supported Employment)

TRAFFORD EXTENDED

SERVICE (TES)

Diagnosis

Composition of Adult Diagnostic Team

Administrative staff

Consultant Psychiatrist

Clinical Psychologist (Autism specialist)

Team Leader

Mental Health Practitioners x 2

Speech and Language Therapist 0.4 WTE

Assistant Psychologist

Pathways

Adults requiring a diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Conditions.

Adults with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), or requiring a diagnosis of ADHD.

Medication advice for Primary Care.

TES is the single point of access for all referrals for ASC diagnosis – both LD and Non-LD

On receipt of referral from GP an information form is sent and completed by the client.

This information is discussed by the MDT and a decision is made whether the client has a LD.

If so, referral is forwarded to CLDT

If not, it stays with TES

Assessment Process

Initial assessment with client.Would usually involve 2 members of the TES teamGeneral overview of difficultiesIdentifying signs of ASC, which would warrant further assessmentRisk screen.

Additional screening assessments are also given out at the initial assessment

Autism Quotient (AQ)Social communication questionnaire (SCQ)GAD 7, PHQ 9.

The assessment can finish at initial – if no ASC signs.

Assessment process continued

If ASC is indicated by the initial assessment:

• Autism Diagnostic Interview – revised (ADI–R)

- development history with parents/carer carried out by 1

practitioner

- This may require more than 1 appointment

• The assessment can complete at this point if enough evidence

of an ASC has been gained from initial and developmental

history to determine presence/absence of an ASC.

Assessment Process continued…

If further evidence of an ASC is required:

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

(ADOS) Module 4.

- semi-structured interview carried out by 2 practitioners

The assessment can complete at this point if enough evidence of

an ASC has been gained to determine presence/absence of an

ASC.

Assessment Process continued…

If further evidence of ASC required:

Additional assessments

Theory of mind, social understanding, emotional recognition

Speech and language assessments

Psychiatric assessment

At any potential assessment end point results are discussed in ASC supervision as an MDT

Full report written to GP and client

Services offered for ASC

The most complex and enduring, severe and

risky people will be assessed against the

complexity criteria and can be care managed on

full CPA

Complexity Criteria

Post Diagnostic Support from

diagnostic team

• Short-term post diagnostic 1:1 support

– helping client to understand and accept diagnosis and implications

– Looking at recommendations of report – signposting to other services as appropriate – Social Care Assessment, IAPT, Non statutory services, Blue Sci, ASGMA, Carers centre, employment support etc

• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

• Post Diagnosis meeting for family members ( 2 sessions) with link to Autism Carers group ( Trafford Carers Centre)

• TES Coping Skills Group (10 sessions)

• Social Skills Group (12 sessions)

Services offered for ASC

• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

Services offered for ASC

• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

Services offered for ASC

• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

Awareness of the needs of people with autism

spectrum conditions

“Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives” (2010) and “Think Autism” (update

2014) Stressed the central part played by training and awareness

raising in supporting people to recognise and understand the needs of

people with ASC and make “reasonable Adjustments” to the way that

they work.

Bespoke training and on-going advice and consultation as requested e.g:

• Probation

• Social workers and social care assessors

• Mental health teams ( community and in-patient)

• Care agencies

• Colleges

• Supported living providers

• Employers

An Introduction to Autism

Spectrum Conditions

Assessing the social care

needs of adults with autism

Training for social care assessors, social workers

and those carrying out an assessment role

3rd February 2016

An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Conditions

Greater Manchester Police

Thursday 24th September 2015