All Age Autism Strategy

All Age Autism Strategy

• Share More support following a diagnosis on Facebook Share More support following a diagnosis on X (formerly Twitter) Share More support following a diagnosis on Linkedin Email More support following a diagnosis link

  More support following a diagnosis

  by Itbeash, over 1 year ago
  Many families wait for years for a diagnosis - there needs to be more money and time invested into CAMHs so that children can recieve a diagnosis quicker.

  
  following a diagnosis many families often are left with not much more support - usually a leaflet with some general guidance. There should be more support following diagnosis for those that need it - looking at keyworkers within the council to support the family and young person. More groups for children to attend that are SEN friendly and not only run during school / working hours. Support for siblings who often feel... Continue reading

  Many families wait for years for a diagnosis - there needs to be more money and time invested into CAMHs so that children can recieve a diagnosis quicker.

  
  following a diagnosis many families often are left with not much more support - usually a leaflet with some general guidance. There should be more support following diagnosis for those that need it - looking at keyworkers within the council to support the family and young person. More groups for children to attend that are SEN friendly and not only run during school / working hours. Support for siblings who often feel left out or don’t understand their autistic siblings diagnosis.
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  Better mainstream education support

  by Asom , over 1 year ago

  More specialist support in mainstream nursery’s, primary and secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges.

  
  With more and more children either receiving or awaiting a diagnosis and unable to cope with demands of mainstream education but not having sufficient specialist school placements there needs to be a greater emphasis to ensure mainstream provision can meet and accommodate the needs of all learners. All staff should have specialist training and as many schools as possible should have sensory spaces to provide emotional regulation for the many children who need it.

  More specialist support in mainstream nursery’s, primary and secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges.

  
  With more and more children either receiving or awaiting a diagnosis and unable to cope with demands of mainstream education but not having sufficient specialist school placements there needs to be a greater emphasis to ensure mainstream provision can meet and accommodate the needs of all learners. All staff should have specialist training and as many schools as possible should have sensory spaces to provide emotional regulation for the many children who need it.
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  Changes are desperately needed in all areas

  by Elizabeth O’callaghan , over 1 year ago
  Firstly, I’ll keep this as short as possible, as there is so much to say

  
  

  As we’re all aware, some autistic children and adults suffer with communication difficulties therefore, raises great concern on how we learn to manage this effectively to meet needs

  
  

  Better support in GP services and hospitals is a must this needs to change as autistic children and adults. Miss very important appointments due to lack of understanding how autism affects adults and children in many different ways When attending appointments And how they can communicate their needs and wants to make a child and adult feel... Continue reading

  Firstly, I’ll keep this as short as possible, as there is so much to say

  
  

  As we’re all aware, some autistic children and adults suffer with communication difficulties therefore, raises great concern on how we learn to manage this effectively to meet needs

  
  

  Better support in GP services and hospitals is a must this needs to change as autistic children and adults. Miss very important appointments due to lack of understanding how autism affects adults and children in many different ways When attending appointments And how they can communicate their needs and wants to make a child and adult feel safe in a violent environment to be able to understand needs of a vulnerable person

  
  

  for all professionals working with vulnerable Children and Vulnerable adults to communicate more efficiently With each other working with a vulnerable person

  
  

  The most important benefit would be for professionals and organisations like the council

  to support vulnerable children and adults to have more consistency from staff too many staff changes causes a lot of anxiety and overwhelming especially For an autistic person Therefore, you’re starting all over again

  1)Improving communication between professionals and health professionals

  2) if there has to be a staff change the handover must be consistent for the Vulnerable, Persons needs to be understood without repeating the needle over again

  3) needs to be a lot more training around autism for the individual person’s needs as they can Appear, very different

  we must do our best to achieve this for the wellbeing and all round mental health

  autistic children adults are very misunderstood which causes great stress anxiety and depression And in some cases stop communicating

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  short break provision

  over 1 year ago

  There is very limited provision in Islington for children with severe autism and learning disabilities who require high level of care and support. Short break provision is extremely oversubscribed due to high demand and limited providers. Centres are overcrowded. Parents who desperately need respite during the school holidays struggle to get booking for their child. The limited providers also limit their available spaces due to lack of staff and there are often cancellations due to lack of staff. There must be more providers and more choice for parents as children with autism and learning disabilities cannot access mainstream holiday schemes.

  There is very limited provision in Islington for children with severe autism and learning disabilities who require high level of care and support. Short break provision is extremely oversubscribed due to high demand and limited providers. Centres are overcrowded. Parents who desperately need respite during the school holidays struggle to get booking for their child. The limited providers also limit their available spaces due to lack of staff and there are often cancellations due to lack of staff. There must be more providers and more choice for parents as children with autism and learning disabilities cannot access mainstream holiday schemes.
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  Assessments

  over 1 year ago

  Offer quick assessment for children and give them all the resources and special support they need in school.

  Offer quick assessment for children and give them all the resources and special support they need in school.
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  Suggestions

  over 1 year ago

  1. Helping People Understand Autism

  Provide community-wide training in autism awareness, including businesses, local services, public transport staff, and customer service teams.

  
  

  Offer lived-experience panels and talks where autistic individuals and their families can share their stories.

  
  

  Run public campaigns that challenge myths and promote neurodiversity in a positive, respectful way.

  
  

  Create easy-read, visual materials that explain autism clearly to children, non-native English speakers, and the general public.

  
  

  2. Helping Autistic Children and Young People at School

  Mandatory autism training for all school staff, not just SENCOs.

  
  

  Sensory-friendly spaces in every school where children can regulate and feel safe.

  
  

  Implement... Continue reading

  1. Helping People Understand Autism

  Provide community-wide training in autism awareness, including businesses, local services, public transport staff, and customer service teams.

  
  

  Offer lived-experience panels and talks where autistic individuals and their families can share their stories.

  
  

  Run public campaigns that challenge myths and promote neurodiversity in a positive, respectful way.

  
  

  Create easy-read, visual materials that explain autism clearly to children, non-native English speakers, and the general public.

  
  

  2. Helping Autistic Children and Young People at School

  Mandatory autism training for all school staff, not just SENCOs.

  
  

  Sensory-friendly spaces in every school where children can regulate and feel safe.

  
  

  Implement individualised learning plans that are co-created with families and regularly reviewed.

  
  

  Ensure flexible school attendance policies, so children aren’t penalised for sensory overload or meltdown-related absences.

  
  

  Peer education workshops to promote understanding and prevent bullying.

  
  

  3. Helping Autistic People Find Jobs

  Offer inclusive hiring workshops for local employers on how to support neurodiverse staff.

  
  

  Promote job coaches and supported internships specifically designed for autistic individuals.

  
  

  Encourage flexible working environments, including remote roles, adjusted hours, or quiet working spaces.

  
  

  Highlight strengths-based job matching, focusing on the person’s unique skills, not just traditional CVs.

  
  

  4. Making Health and Care Services Equal for Autistic People

  Train all health and care staff in autism-specific communication techniques, such as avoiding vague language or giving too much verbal input at once.

  
  

  Introduce sensory-adapted environments in GP surgeries and hospitals (e.g. low lighting, reduced noise).

  
  

  Allow extra time for medical appointments and ensure reasonable adjustments are clearly communicated and respected.

  
  

  Include autistic voices in healthcare planning committees and consultations.

  
  

  5. Making Sure Autistic People Get Help in Their Communities

  Fund more drop-in hubs and peer-led groups for autistic people and their families.

  
  

  Provide clear, accessible signposting to services, with online and offline options.

  
  

  Increase access to community transport or travel training for autistic people who struggle with public transport.

  
  

  Ensure community centres and leisure facilities offer quiet sessions or autism-friendly hours.

  
  

  6. Help for Autistic People in the Justice System

  Provide autism awareness training to police officers, legal staff, and prison workers.

  
  

  Develop protocols for de-escalation and communication with autistic people during police interactions.

  
  

  Ensure appropriate adults with autism training are always present during questioning.

  
  

  Offer support and advocacy for autistic individuals navigating court proceedings or custodial settings.

  
  

  Monitor and evaluate disproportionate outcomes for autistic people in the justice system and publish transparent data.
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  Sunflower laynyard scheme

  over 1 year ago

  Asking local businesses to support the sunflower lanyard scheme, put up posters to confirm their awareness as an autism friendly establishment.

  Making Autism awareness a part of all school calendars, curriculums etc.

  Asking local businesses to support the sunflower lanyard scheme, put up posters to confirm their awareness as an autism friendly establishment.

  Making Autism awareness a part of all school calendars, curriculums etc.
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  Transport

  over 1 year ago

  Transport policy should reflect autistic sensory needs eg my young adult daughter is terrified to cycle or take the tube, but will use a bus. Bus travel is often overlooked re LTNs and cycle lanes.

  There is also an assumption that a blue badge solves the needs of disabled people. It doesn’t! Autistic sensory needs as debilitating but nothing to do with physical mobility.

  Transport policy should reflect autistic sensory needs eg my young adult daughter is terrified to cycle or take the tube, but will use a bus. Bus travel is often overlooked re LTNs and cycle lanes.

  There is also an assumption that a blue badge solves the needs of disabled people. It doesn’t! Autistic sensory needs as debilitating but nothing to do with physical mobility.
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  ASD parents

  over 1 year ago

  Those all sound great. It would be lovely if there were youth groups for neurodivergent tweens/teens, similar to the sensory stay and play that St George's church in tufnell park runs twice a month. I would personally also welcome more staff working on EHCP pupils' secondary school placement, at Islington council, as they seem to have a very heavy workload which isn't in anyone's best interest.

  Those all sound great. It would be lovely if there were youth groups for neurodivergent tweens/teens, similar to the sensory stay and play that St George's church in tufnell park runs twice a month. I would personally also welcome more staff working on EHCP pupils' secondary school placement, at Islington council, as they seem to have a very heavy workload which isn't in anyone's best interest.
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  Guidance

  over 1 year ago

  There should be more guidance and clarity for managers about how to best support autistic members of staff, so that we can support them to deliver their best work.

  There should be more guidance and clarity for managers about how to best support autistic members of staff, so that we can support them to deliver their best work.