Seven quality outcomes from ‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives’

‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives’ [18] sets out seven quality outcome measures against which local areas in England can test how well they are meeting the aims of the Autism Strategy.

These outcomes state that autistic adults will:

• achieve better health outcomes
• be included and economically active
• live in accommodation that meets their needs
• benefit from the personalisation agenda in health and social care, and be able to access personal budgets
• no longer be inappropriately managed in the criminal justice system
• be satisfied with local services
• be involved in service planning.

To help local areas work towards these outcomes, the document also sets out three key ambitions:

• Local authorities and partners know how many adults with autism live in the area.
• A clear and trusted diagnostic pathway is available locally.
• Health and social care staff make reasonable adjustments to services to meet the needs of adults with autism.

Further reading

• ‘Think autism: fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update’(2014), Department of Health.
• ‘Statutory guidance for local authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the adult Autism Strategy’(2015), Department of Health.
• ‘Six steps of autism care (for children and young people in Northern Ireland)’(2011), Northern Ireland: Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Network for Northern Ireland.