Improving access to social care for adults with autism
Published: January 2017
This guide helps people in the health and social care sector who work with adults with autism to increase their awareness, knowledge and understanding. Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder, referred to as a ‘spectrum condition’ since some people with autism have profound difficulties and require specialist support, while others live largely independent lives
Please note that throughout this guide, we refer to the condition as autism, rather than as autistic spectrum condition (ASC) or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).
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Key messages and policy recommendations
Key messages and recommendations for Improving access to social care for adults with autism.
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Autism: the main issues
What autism is and what some of the main policy issues are.
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Awareness-raising and diagnosis
Social care staff need to know more about autism, as the first step to properly supporting people with the condition.
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Assessment, accessibility and acceptability
Services need to be more approachable and accessible.
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Joint working
We look at how social care fits into a wider world for people with autism.
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Transition
Why it is so important to get the transition from children's to adults' services right.
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Early intervention and prevention
Many people with autism can have their needs met by small, inexpensive interventions.
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Personalising services
How people with autism can benefit from the greater personalisation of social care services.
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Carers
Services should support those caring for friends and family members with autism.
