THE SCOTTISH STRATEGY FOR AUTISM EIGHTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUTISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS PRESENTATION GUIDE
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER ALL OF THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ACCESS FOR AN INITIAL 2 MONTH PERIOD. O R G A N I S A T I O N S & S P E A K E R S
01 AISEE & CLC Consultancy
02 Arnot Manderson Advocates - David W Cobb
03 auticon
04 Autism and Advocacy Roundtable (ANS Advocacy Working Group)
05 Autism Atlas
06 Autism Initiatives Scotland
07 Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh (AMASE)
08 Autism Network Scotland
09 Enable Works
10 Independent Review of Learning Disability and Autism in the Mental Health Act (IRMHA)
11 Inspiring Scotland
12 IntoWork
13 Mental Welfare Commission
14 National Implementation Team (NAIT)
15 National Autistic Society
16 National Autistic Society & Scottish Autism
17 NHS Education for Scotland (NES)
18 NHS Fife - Dr Joshua Muggleton
19 One Stop Shop Aberdeen / Triple A's
20 Partners in Advocacy
21 Pasda
22 Perth Autism Support
23 Project Ability - AARG Project
24 Scottish Autism
25 Scottish Government: Different minds. One Scotland. – Autism Campaign
26 Scottish Government & Triple A's
27 Scottish Women's Autism Network (SWAN)
28 Dr Catriona Stewart OBE & John Scott, QC
29 Studio III - Professor Andrew McDonnell
30 University of Kent - Dr Damian Milton PRESENTATION GUIDE
WELCOME FROM THE MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH Ms Clare Haughey MSP, Minister for Mental Health, The Scottish Government Clare Haughey was appointed Minister for Mental Health in June 2018. She has worked as a mental health nurse, specialising in pregnant mothers and those with a young baby, and has been a clinical nurse manager.
Clare was elected as MSP for Rutherglen in May 2016.
She was previously a divisional convenor in UNISON.
WELCOME FROM COSLA Councillor Stuart Currie, Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, COSLA Stuart Currie was born in Musselburgh and attended Campsie Primary School and Musselburgh Grammar School.
He worked in the Civil Service for 20 years and, for most of that time, was an elected trade union official, serving at branch, regional and finally national level as vice president. He was appointed as a lay member to sit on employment tribunals in 2002.
He is a SNP Councillor for Musselburgh and leader of East Lothian Council SNP Group. Councillor Currie was appointed as COSLA Interim Spokesperson for Health and Social Care on 1st October 2018. He also serves on the Scottish Joint council for Local Government Employees as Employers’ Member.
In his spare time, Councillor Currie enjoys horseracing, golf and opera. AISEE and CLC Consultancy
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SILIJO9KFBS
DAWBA/SDQ DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING ASSESSMENT/ STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE.
Speakers: Bill Colley, Director, CLC Consultancy Thom Kirkwood, Director, AISEE
Duration: 19 minutes (approx) Thinking out-of-the-box in re-shaping mental health assessment and screening. View and learn more about this tried and tested cost effective tool utilised in over 29 countries, available in many languages.
Designed by a British University Team. Accurate, objective and proficient. Can be used within education, mental health, social care/work, and criminal justice. Beneficial for individuals, their families, practitioners and for individualised and strategic service planning.
Once viewed please register your interest with either of the presenters for our forth-coming more in-depth webinar later in October. David W Cobb is an experienced and enthusiastic practitioner in the fields of Statute, Public and Criminal law. David has developed new areas of expertise in relation to Mental Health, Adults with Incapacity and Human Rights Law. He has written three published textbooks on the evolving area of Mental Health Law in Scotland, and is a regular contributor to the “Scots Law Times” on significant new cases. David’s other previous writing projects include a new Chapter for the SULI Environmental Law Textbook and updating the Planning section of the “Scottish Human Rights Service”. David has recently been commissioned to write a short Textbook on Adults with Incapacity Law in Scotland for LawBrief Publishing.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/JJDJAUDJCQ0
AUTISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS - WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT?
Speaker: David W Cobb, legal Advocate, Arnot Manderson Advocates
Duration: 40 minutes (approx) The Scott Review is presently at work considering the law relating to Autistic People. David W Cobb of AM Advocates examines the impact that Human Rights Law can and should have on the outcome, which will shape law for the future, against the key parts of Scott’s Terms of Reference. The adequacy of the laws passed since 2000 are examined, and considered against the terms of the UNCRPD, which the Scottish Government has pledged to implement into Scottish Law. The recommendations of the Rome Review (IRMHA) are also outlined as a considered means of how the UNCRPD may achieve a voice and equality for Autistic people.
Delegates are invited to consider this as background to any responses they wish to make to the Scott Review. auticon is an award winning international IT and data consulting services company and social enterprise. We exclusively employ highly skilled and talented consultants who are on the autism spectrum working within traditional IT consultancy model. Consultants are employed on a permanent basis and we march their individual skill sets to specific client assignments.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GYMN4BTSC-M HOW AUTICON IS HELPING TO CREATE AND SUPPORT NEURODIVERSE INCLUSIVITY
Speaker: Emma Walker, Regional Manager Scotland, auticon
Duration: 9 minutes (approx) auticon embrace the strap line – Different Minds, One Scotland by launching their autism advisory service in Scotland.
With the help of funding from the Scottish Government’s Understanding Autism Programme, auticon aim to reach out to organisations across Scotland to help them understand the huge benefits of having a neurodiverse workforce. This presentation gives a brief overview of auticon and then looks at how auticon’s Autism Advisor will work with organisations to help and support them to adapt their existing policies and processes or possibly incorporate new ones, to enable the individual organisations to attract, recruit and retain their own neurodiverse talent. The Scottish Strategy for Autism Outcomes and Priorities 2018 – 2021 document states that “The Scottish Government will explore the role of advocacy services in supporting autistic people across Scotland” and Autism Network Scotland was tasked by Government to provide an exploratory report into Autism and Advocacy. This report was duly delivered in November 2018. It was taken forward following a strategy review group to a lead officers collaborative bringing about the two pronged approach of a) the Autism and Advocacy Roundtable in 2019 with the aim of working jointly with partners to produce a policy and practice paper incorporating autism informed into advocacy and to identify solutions in filling the gap and b) produce and deliver a pilot on parental advocacy training. PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/FWVPUH49TT0
WORKING TOGETHER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY
Speakers: Neil Barbour, Autistic Associate, Autism Network Scotland David Gartland, Contributor Thom Kirkwood, Wider Engagement Officer, Autism Network Scotland Ramon Hutchingson, Co-ordinator, Autism Resources Coordination Hub Fiona Milne, Parent, Renfrewshire Carers Centre (Renfrewshire Autism Project)
Duration: 66 minutes (approx) Advocacy and Human Rights, is ultimately about defending rights, ensuring your voices are heard, and respected, increasing confidence and positive outcomes for future. The objective of this collective presentation is to deliver an appreciation of the collaborative co-productive inclusive discussions, we have had to get to this point, with contributions from David, Fiona, Neil, Ramon and Thom.
To achieve a sustainable co-productive partnership contribution to Autism and Advocacy, supporting inclusion within individualisation and planning. Complementing our nation’s collective responsibility towards our commitments to the United Nations Autism, Inclusion and Neurodiversity Agenda 2030, as well component contributions to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainability and the forthcoming incorporation United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, into Scots law, as currently proposed this has no commencement date. All told, building on barriers already overcome, with partnership actions in taking things forwards. ATLAS (Autism Training Leadership Action Scotland) is an autism-led organisation that aims to increase public understanding and acceptance of autism across Scotland by sharing our stories and giving practical advice that people can use in their personal and professional lives.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/CFNCXT4WU10 AUTISM POSITIVE COMMUNITIES
Speakers: Kira McCarthy, Co-founder & trainer, Autism Atlas Alanah Temple, Co-founder & trainer, Autism Atlas
Duration: 13 minutes (approx) In our presentation, we talk about our funded project, ‘Autism Positive Communities’ and how we aimed to engage with a number of people across local communities through a variety of presentations and drama performances. We also discuss the impact of coronavirus and what changes we’re making to adapt our project to engage with the public in the best way possible so we can still make steps towards autism friendlier communities across Scotland. Autism Initiatives was founded in the early 1970s by a parent of an autistic boy and we remain a parent-led charity. We provide services to autistic people throughout Scotland through our housing support, care-at-home, university support and outreach services. We provide services to over 3,700 autistic people through our three one-stop-shops – No 6, No 3 and HOSS.
Our vision is of a world where autistic people and non-autistic people understand, accept and appreciate each other. Our mission is to meet the needs of autistic people, their families and those close to them by providing a range of services that are personal, professional and innovative.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/-NERQ2AZHTO
EDINBURGH DIAGNOSTIC PILOT PROJECT
Speaker: Catherine Steedman, National Director Scotland, Autism Initiatives
Duration: 17 minutes (approx) In this video we will discuss our three year pilot project - a new and innovative autism diagnostic pathway in Edinburgh. The pilot involves Partnership working between Autism Initiatives, Edinburgh Mental Health Teams and City of Edinburgh Council. We will share the reasons why we believe this pilot was needed, the aims of the project, and its processes. Although only half way through the term, we will present some initial data – including timescales, demographics, satisfaction rates and personal impact. An Autistic People’s Organisation (APO) in Edinburgh. All members are on the autistic spectrum and our goal is to help autistic people make each other’s lives better through peer support, advocacy and education.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/F8IF1YK3ZQI AMASE, AUTISTIC PEOPLE'S ORGANISATIONS (APO'S) AND AUTISTIC RIGHTS
Speaker: Fergus Murray
Duration: 12 minutes (approx) AMASE is a representative Autistic People's Organisation (APO), dedicated to fostering autistic community, educating wider society and advocating for autistic perspectives and rights. As I will argue, APOs are uniquely well-placed to achieve all of these goals. As representative organisations, they also have a particular role in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD): all state bodies should be actively involving these organisations in all relevant decision-making.
There are very good practical reasons why government bodies should be closely consulting with representative members of the populations they are making decisions about, even if Scotland wasn't signed up to the CRPD; I will talk about the barriers currently getting in the way of this, how to overcome them and what there is to gain by doing so. Autism Network Scotland, based within the University of Strathclyde is a delivery partner in the implementation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism. In addition to the Strategy, Autism Network Scotland collaborates with many partners, providing consultancy services and responses to enquiries from autistic individuals, parents, carers and practitioners.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/KEABDFJKFH0 AUTISM NETWORK SCOTLAND, REVIEW OF 2019/20 AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Speaker: Richard Ibbotson, Director, Autism Network Scotland
Duration: 13 minutes (approx) Autism Network Scotland is Scotland’s independent national network that links organisations and individuals across the country. Working in partnerships, providing networking opportunities and sharing reliable and relevant autism information and learning. ANS continues to support the aspiration of the Scotland’s Autism Strategy that all autistic people are respected, accepted and valued. This short overview gives information on the background to the Network, its current work and looks to the future. ENABLE Works, part of ENABLE Scotland, are the largest specialist provider of employability services across Scotland. Our team deliver services in 22 local authority areas and support people in schools, colleges, through national training programmes such as Employability Fund, Fair Start Scotland and deliver supported employment service in Edinburgh, Dundee and across the Highlands.
We are passionate about social change and deliver support that leads the way in design and practice. We believe that by focussing on high quality support we can deliver high outcomes for our clients. ENABLE Works support 2500 people each year and last year 468 went into employment.
Enable Scotland is a charity working to make life better for people who have a learning disability – and their families. We believe in an equal society for every person who has a learning disability and every day we campaign, fundraise and provide support to help make this a reality.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/RC7UZCC6PY8 AN OVERVIEW OF ENABLE WORKS EMPLOYABILITY SERVICES, INCLUDING THE TALENT WORKS PROGRAMME SUPPORTING AUTISTIC PEOPLE INTO WORK.
Speaker: Ashley Ryan, Head of Growth, ENABLE Works
Duration: 16 minutes (approx) At ENABLE Works, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore their talents and ambitions in the workplace. ENABLE Works are one of the largest and most successful employment support teams in Scotland. We have a qualified and experienced team delivering specialist employment support across 22 local areas of Scotland.
ENABLE Works supports employers to assess existing practices around recruitment and retention of autistic people. We have an autistic people’s forum that will help to create the support for employers. The Independent Review of Learning Disability and Autism in the Mental Health Act ran from 2018 to 2019. The review considered whether autism and learning disability should continue to be defined as ‘mental disorders’ in Scotland’s mental health law. The review addressed the challenges of complying with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in mental health law in Scotland, in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights. The review’s recommendations could make possible the ‘paradigm shift’ that the CRPD requires. The review also created a new approach to governance and engagement to comply with the CRPD’s requirements on how autistic people should be involved in law reform processes.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/DH1DTBG13FO
AUTISM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND MENTAL HEALTH LAW
Speaker: Simon Webster, previously, Secretary to the Review
Duration: 38 minutes (approx) The presentation is in two parts. Part 1 gives an overview of the review. It describes the national and international context for the review, the review’s remit and how the review was run. It includes some examples of recommendations from the review. Part 2 is for people who have a particular interest in the law and human rights. This part explains how the review’s recommendations would enable Scotland to meet its duties towards autistic people under international human rights law. Inspiring Scotland was formed in 2008 to tackle some of the long-term entrenched social problems faced by Scotland’s people and communities. Problems like long-term unemployment, poor health and inequalities. We wanted to change that. To do this, we adopted the venture philanthropy model of long-term financial support matched with tailored development support to the charity sector. We help organisations to maximise their social impact. Over the last 10 years, we are delighted that over 100,000 lives have been transformed, we’ve worked with over 300 charities and managed £120m in funds.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/FVOT3VLJTXK
INSPIRING SCOTLAND - UNDERSTANDING AUTISM PROGRAMME
Speakers: Julia Abel, Head of Funds, Inspiring Scotland Allison Crawford, Autism Performance Advisor, Inspiring Scotland Celia Tennant, CEO, Inspiring Scotland Bee Vellacott, Autism Performance Advisor, Inspiring Scotland Albany Wallace-Martinez, Business Support Coordinator, Inspiring Scotland
Duration: 17 minutes (approx) Our video is an informative introduction to Inspiring Scotland and the Increasing the Understanding of Autism Programme. We work in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver this programme. This is a great opportunity to learn about Inspiring Scotland as an organisation and the activity that we undertake in support of the Scottish Government Autism policy. Moreover, this is a brilliant chance to hear directly from key programme members about the programme’s structure and its autistic involvement. IntoWork provide personalised employment advice and practical support for people with a disability or long-term health condition who live in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/1NUK3L4MV1Q
AUTISM WORKS: INCREASING EMPLOYERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF AUTISM
Speakers: Kat Allen, Autism Engagement Coordinator, Into Work Autism Work Advisory Group members: Suzanne, Callum and Lea
Duration: 8 minutes (approx) Our video is about charity, Into Work’s Autism Works project, which is funded through the Scottish Government’s ‘Increasing the Understanding of Autism’ programme during 2020 until March 2021.
The project’s aim is to improve employers’ understanding of autism – and also of the value that autistic employees can bring to the workforce. We’ve co-produced a new, in-depth training course for employers, built upon the wide ranging lived experiences of our Autistic Advisory Group members. We will start delivering the training to employers in the Edinburgh and Lothians area this autumn.
In the video, three of Our Advisory Group members, Suzanne, Callum and Lea, talk about what they hope we will achieve through this project and which experiences of autism in the workplace they personally feel are most important for us to share with employers through the training course. They also share what they have most enjoyed about participating in the Advisory Group so far. The Mission of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is to be a leading and independent voice in promoting a society where people with mental illness, learning disabilities, dementia and related conditions are treated fairly, have their rights respected, and have appropriate support to live the life of their choice. PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/CAICIIJ5HKK AUTISM AND COMPLEX CARE NEEDS - FEEDBACK FROM THE MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION’S THEMED VISIT Speakers: Yvonne Bennett, Social Work Officer, Mental Welfare Commission Mary Leroy, Nursing Officer, Mental Welfare Commission
Duration: 38 minutes (approx) In October 2019, the Mental Welfare Commission published a report on Autism and Complex Care Needs. This was the first time that the Commission had undertaken a themed visit specifically looking at support for people with autism. Autistic people with complex needs will often be treated and supported in hospitals or care services which are primarily designed for people with a learning disability or mental illness.
We wanted to see if the particular needs relevant to autism were being adequately met in these settings, and to look at some services which specialised in support for this group. We had concerns about people spending long periods in hospital, and about whether services were responding to challenging behaviours in a way which respected human rights. We consulted with stakeholders who identified four areas they felt were important:
Assessment and diagnosis Treatment Support/staying well Responding to crisis
We also looked at environmental issues, training and the needs and views of carers. This presentation describes what we found during this visit and what recommendations we made as a result of our findings. https://www.mwcscot.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/ASD_ThemeVisitReport- 20191030.pdf The NAIT Team are a cross sector partnership from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry, who have considerable experience and expertise in working with autistic individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. NAIT provide practitioner to practitioner advice. The role of the team is to support the delivery of the Scottish Strategy for Autism: Outcomes and Priorities 2018- 2021, through facilitating evidence based actions in the interconnected areas of: Education and Inclusive Practice Assessment and Diagnosis for children, young people and adults Employment PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/HXCKVVNZ9NA
MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
Speakers: National Autism Implementation Team: Dr Marion Rutherford; Lorna Johnston and Dr Susan Prior
Duration: 11 minutes (approx) This presentation provides an overview of a range of recent work the team has been engaged in, together with an update on next steps. During the session, the team will reflect on our underpinning principles, our support and challenge role and the resources we have developed. NAIT are an implementation team, which means that we are focussed on making real change happen, to improve the experiences of autistic people and their families. We aim to do this through providing support to practitioners across Scotland.
The team has a focus on pathways for assessment and diagnosis across the lifespan. We take the position that support can be enhanced by diagnosis but should not wait for diagnosis. Diagnosis does not happen in isolation and must be embedded in support provided before, during and after diagnosis. NAIT are therefore also focused on developing and sharing good practice for autism in schools and in the workplace. We are more than the sum of our parts and collaborative working across sectors is key to implementing positive change.
This presentation is relevant across the autism community for interested autistic people, family members and practitioners across a range of sectors. We will refer to a range of resources freely available on the NAIT website which attendees may be interested in https://www.thirdspace.scot/nait/ The NAIT Team are a cross sector partnership from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry, who have considerable experience and expertise in working with autistic individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. NAIT provide practitioner to practitioner advice. The role of the team is to support the delivery of the Scottish Strategy for Autism: Outcomes and Priorities 2018- 2021, through facilitating evidence based actions in the interconnected areas of: Education and Inclusive Practice Assessment and Diagnosis for children, young people and adults Employment
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/DVRDP4ROU5G ANXIETY RELATED ABSENCE: SUPPORTING AUTISTIC LEARNERS
Speakers: National Autism Implementation Team: Dr Marion Rutherford and Lorna Johnston
Duration: 15 minutes (approx) Anxiety Related Absence is a long standing issue that has been highlighted by the COVID context. Traditional approaches and mind-sets have not always led to the best outcomes for autistic learners. It is not a straightforward issue and in the NAIT guide we offer our perspective on how it could be approached through a social pragmatic lens.
Throughout the presentation we will refer to the following guide: https://www.thirdspace.scot/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NAIT-Anxiety-Related-Absence- Guidance-2020.pdf
Within the presentation we will highlight practical ways of implementing universal inclusive practice, as well as targeted and specialist approaches relevant to autistic learners. We will share NAIT work and Education resources that can support professional development and can be applied in the ‘naturally occurring environment’ of school and home, through staged intervention and collaborative working in the education context across nursery, primary and secondary stages.
This presentation is most relevant for practitioners across a range of sectors and may be of particular interest to professionals working in an educational context. It may also be of interested to individuals with a personal interest because they or a family member are autistic. The NAIT Team are a cross sector partnership from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry, who have considerable experience and expertise in working with autistic individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. NAIT provide practitioner to practitioner advice. The role of the team is to support the delivery of the Scottish Strategy for Autism: Outcomes and Priorities 2018- 2021, through facilitating evidence based actions in the interconnected areas of: Education and Inclusive Practice Assessment and Diagnosis for children, young people and adults Employment PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GCNVTGC4-S8
CHILD DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAYS: GETTING IT RIGHT
Speakers: National Autism Implementation Team: Dr Marion Rutherford and Lorna Johnston
Duration: 11 minutes (approx) In this presentation we will share an update on the national neurodevelopmental approach the NAIT team are taking to support experiences of children’s assessment and diagnosis pathways in Scotland. We will discuss our new guide to digital consultation for neurodevelopmental assessment and diagnosis and share news about our work developing a national neurodevelopmental pathway resource.
This presentation is most relevant for practitioners across a range of sectors and may be of particular interest to those contributing to the development and implementation of local diagnostic pathways for children and young people.
Guidance on Digital Consultation for Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Diagnosis can be found here: https://www.thirdspace.scot/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NAIT-Guidance-on- Digital-Consultation-for-Neurodevelopmental-Assessment-and-Diagnosis-August-2020.pdf. The NAIT Team are a cross sector partnership from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry, who have considerable experience and expertise in working with autistic individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. NAIT provide practitioner to practitioner advice. The role of the team is to support the delivery of the Scottish Strategy for Autism: Outcomes and Priorities 2018- 2021, through facilitating evidence based actions in the interconnected areas of: Education and Inclusive Practice Assessment and Diagnosis for children, young people and adults Employment PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/L6UGMBXCX1C NEURODIVERSITY IN EMPLOYMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR ADULT DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAYS
Speakers: National Autism Implementation Team: Dr Susan Prior and Dr Marion Rutherford
Duration: 13 minutes (approx) Work is good for both physical and mental health and employment is an important issue for autistic people in Scotland. Although it is clear that most autistic people want to work, many face challenges with getting and retaining paid employment. A range of universal and specialist support options are required. The NAIT team will summarise the current position and indicate positive ways forward.
Pre-Covid-19 almost 83% of all working age adults, but only 32% of autistic adults were in any employment. Research has found that 77% of unemployed autistic people want to work. This presentation will give an overview of the key issues relating to employment and we will share evidence based approaches that have been shown to have good outcomes. Although some individuals are diagnosed in childhood, adults may be involved in assessment that leads to an autism diagnosis at any age. The need for this can be identified particularly at points of transition or through experiences at work. Support should not be diagnosis dependent, however where diagnosis is made we would like to support employers and health professionals to develop pathways to support.
Key messages for employers during Covid-19 can be found here: https://www.thirdspace.scot/nait/employment-resources/
This presentation is relevant for practitioners across a range of sectors and may be of particular interest to those contributing to the development and implementation of employment support and for those seeking to build links with diagnostic services. It may also be of interest to autistic individuals. The National Autistic Society Scotland is a leading charity for autistic people in Scotland and their families. We provide local specialist help, information and care across Scotland to autistic children and young people, adults, and their families and carers. We offer a wide range of personalised quality support at home and in the community, both in groups and one-to-one. Our branches in Scotland offer families and autistic people help and mutual support, and our employment team support autistic people in work and their employers.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/ANIJQOGHY-4
AN UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY SCOTLAND
Speaker: Nick Ward, Director, National Autistic Society Scotland
Duration: 19 minutes (approx) A report from our Director Nick Ward on the activities of the National Autistic Society Scotland over the last 6 months and how the services we offer have changed. The National Autistic Society Scotland is a leading charity for autistic people in Scotland and their families. We provide local specialist help, information and care across Scotland to autistic children and young people, adults, and their families and carers. We offer a wide range of personalised quality support at home and in the community, both in groups and one-to-one. Our branches in Scotland offer families and autistic people help and mutual support, and our employment team support autistic people in work and their employers.
Scottish Autism is Scotland’s national autism charity. With over 50 years’ experience we are a leading authority and advocate for good autism practice. We offer a large range of services for autistic people including education, day and vocational opportunities, supported living, outreach and specialist transition support. We share our knowledge and expertise with parents, carers and other professionals in order to support the development of skills and strategies needed to provide the best care and support for autistic people.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/X4VUWYAATDU
CLOSING THE ACCOUNTABILITY GAP: AN AUTISM AND LEARNING DISABILITY COMMISSIONER FOR SCOTLAND?
Speakers: Nick Ward, Director, National Autistic Society Scotland Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO, Scottish Autism
Duration: 19 minutes (approx) Charlene Tait from Scottish Autism and Nick Ward from National Autistic Society Scotland discuss why they have come together to campaign for the world’s first Autism and Learning Disability Commissioner and the difference they believe it would make. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is an education and training body and a special health board within NHS Scotland, with responsibility of developing and delivering education and training for the healthcare workforce in Scotland. NES has a Scotland wide role in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional development and maintains a local perspective through centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
NES also cooperates and collaborates with regulatory bodies and other organisations that are concerned with the development of the health and care workforce for example the General Medical Council, universities and other professional bodies.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GDQDZBRP4NO OVERVIEW OF THE NES ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE AUTISM STRATEGY 2019-20
Speakers: Sandra Ferguson, Associate Director for Psychology, Lead for the National Trauma Training Programme Anne Joice, Head of Programme – Adult Mental Health & Autism Suzy O’Connor, Head of Programme – Early Intervention
Duration: 23 minutes (approx)
NHS Education for Scotland has a key role in educating the workforce and supporting implementation of the Autism Training Framework (ATF). During this presentation, the NES team cover the following key points:
The Adult and Child Teams within NES develop and commission a national programme of training in relation to the 3 core areas of the AFT: 1) Identification, screening, assessment and diagnosis, 2) Management, support and intervention, 3) Autism across the Lifespan: Transitions & Changes
NHS Education for Scotland will work with key delivery partners to provide diagnostic assessment training to multidisciplinary staff at varying levels of expertise: Developmental Diagnostic Dimensional Interview-short version (3Di), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO)
NHS Education for Scotland provides a learning platform to host learning resources for all staff working in the public sector in Scotland and is currently working to bring together all the digital learning resources for staff into one learning platform. The child and adult learning disability psychology service staff comprise a skill mix of clinical psychologists, forensic psychologists, clinical associates in applied psychology and assistant psychologists. The service works to promote and enhance the emotional well being and quality of life of people with a learning disability. We provide a wide range of services for adults with learning disabilities and for children with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families and carers. We accept referrals from a range of sources, including self-referrals. Our work is across inpatient wards as well as community multi- disciplinary teams with health and social care colleagues.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QF0PDOUITOQ
FIFE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (F-NDQ)
Speaker: Dr Joshua Muggleton, Clinical Psychologist, NHS Fife
Duration: 21 minutes (approx) Recently, there has been a move towards integrated assessment pathways for neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, ADHD and Learning Disability. However, existing developmental history tools are disorder specific. Integrated neurodevelopmental assessment requires a broader assessment tool capable of evaluating multiple areas of child development, as well as health and social factors which may impact development.
The Fife Neurodevelopmental Questionnaire (F-NDQ) was created to meet this need in Fife, following input from multiple disciplines and specialities. Several refinements have been published based on feedback from clinical practice and from parents. The F-NDQ has been licensed free of charge to several health boards in central Scotland, and is being used in neurodevelopmental assessment services, as well as CAMHS, community paediatric and primary care services.
Further developments are planned, including an online version which will improve usability and access for parents, and provide anonymised data to help with future care planning and research. The One Stop Shop Aberdeen is a project run by Triple A's (Autism Awareness Association in Aberdeen) which is an entirely autism led peer support charity for people on the autistic spectrum. The One Stop Shop Aberdeen provides information, training, consultation services and support for autistic people, their families, and professionals. Our frontline staff are all autistic and use their lived experiences to reframe the narrative around autism, provide insight into what it is like to be autistic, and help develop support strategies. https://webspace.oss-aberdeen.co.uk/
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/1IFFJXWDSYE
COMBATING STIGMA AND ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE
Speakers: Marion McLaughlin, Manager, One Stop Shop Aberdeen Felicity Goodhall, Autism Practitioner, One Stop Shop Aberdeen
Duration: 23 minutes (approx) Marion McLaughlin and Felicity Goodhall discuss the work being carried out at the One Stop Shop Aberdeen and how it relates to both combatting the stigma experienced by the autistic community, and how it addresses Human Rights for autistic people. We discuss our autism acceptance campaign, our documents created for use in educational settings, our employment project, our work raising knowledge and understanding of autism, and the importance of reframing of the narrative around autism. Drawing on our own lived experiences of being autistic, we look at the struggles the autistic community have accessing human rights and ways to move forward in the future. Partners in Advocacy provide independent advocacy for individuals living with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, physical disabilities and people over 65. We also provide independent advocacy to children and young people who are living with mental health issues, additional support needs and learning disabilities. We remain the only independent advocacy service working Scotland-wide that supports children aged 12 to 15 to have their views considered when decisions are being made about the support they get with their learning.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IGKGWPJE6_W THE RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ADVOCACY SERVICES MRMS CAN PROVIDE
Speakers: Sarah-Jane Crews, My Rights My Say Service Co-Ordinator, Partners in Advocacy
Duration: 14 minutes (approx)
This whistle stop presentation will highlight the services that Partners in Advocacy offers to young people 12-15 and the rights the young people hold. My Rights My Say will talk about the rights that were extended to young people under the additional support for learning act and how they support young people to use these rights. My Rights My Say will also talk about what is included within those rights, what an additional support need is and will show how this service works with a case study and how they can help. Pasda is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is governed by Trustees.
Pasda is a support organisation based in Edinburgh and the Lothians for families who have an autistic adult. As you are an adult most of your life most people with autism are adults. Pasda was established about 20 years ago and provides various informal ways for carers to meet other people and exchange information, e.g. coffee, walking, singing and gardening groups and other events e.g. workshops, presentations by specialists such as speech and language, legal advice. Many carers find great comfort meeting others in similar circumstances when they realise they are not alone. Pasda also campaigns for greater awareness and improvement in services e.g. fun events with entertainers, quizzes and lobbying of parliamentary representatives.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/WE1FU0TEFEM
WHO CARES? WE DO
Speaker: Cath Purdie
Duration: 13 minutes (approx) In this video Cath Purdie talks about Pasda's humble beginnings, who we are what we do, before sharing a video about Pasda's Coffee Mornings and why our carers find them helpful. Cath also talks about rights of carers, about our personal expertise of caring for our family members and what changes we would like to happen to make our lives better for us and our family members. Perth Autism Support was founded in November 2011 to support gaps identified in the support of children and young people on the autism spectrum and their families in Perth & Kinross. We currently support on average 240 young people every week through our services. We have approximately 840 families registered for our services across Perth & Kinross.
Our organisation is key in supporting skills of autistic children and young people to recognise and promote the development of their strengths. Recognising that ALL young people should have an understanding and supportive network around them, we offer full family support to parents/carers, young carer siblings, to Health, Education and Social Care colleagues and to other organisations working with the young people in community settings.
Our main areas of services are: Children’s Services, Health, Education and Social Care, Family and Transition Services, Employability and Community Engagement and Training.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/D9HRYWCPMII
PERTH AUTISM SUPPORT – SUPPORTING AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS
Speakers: Angie Ferguson, Chief Executive, Perth Autism Support Gordon Ferguson, Retail and Business Co-ordinator
Duration: 13 minutes (approx) In this video Angie Ferguson and Gordon Ferguson will highlight:
Overview of Perth Autism Support services National projects involvement Increasing the Understanding of Autism Fund – Retail Project Project Ability, established in 1984, is a Glasgow-based visual arts organisation with an international reputation for excellence. We create opportunities for people with disabilities and people with lived experience of mental ill-health, aged 5 years to 80 plus, to express themselves and achieve their artistic potential. Over three hundred people each week take part in our year round programme of workshops, events and exhibitions which are held in our centre in Trongate 103 and in community venues throughout the city. We work in partnership with people with disabilities and their support agencies across the UK and develop local, national and international arts projects, creating opportunities for people to network, share their practice and exhibit their work. PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/7A_FPVW94DW
AARG ARTISTS IN LOCKDOWN
Speaker: Celine Mcilmunn, AARG project coordinator, Project Ability
Duration: 17 minutes (approx) Founded in Project Ability at the end of last year with funding from Inspiring Scotland, AARG is the Autistic Artists Research Group. Like most other plans that were made for 2020, those made for AARG had to make some unexpected changes.
In this presentation, the AARG project coordinator Celine Mcilmunn gives an outline of what these plans were and how the group used their time creatively during lockdown to make a catalogue of fifty short videos which were shared on their social media pages. The presentation includes a selection of these videos. The first of these is an introduction to the group and their original project and this is followed by seven pieces by the individual group members.
The other pieces are: ‘Monkey in lockdown’ by Ruth Mutch, ‘We hate the sounds of stereo’ by Stuart Low, ‘Into week 6’ by Simon McAuley, ‘Time is money’ by Richard Anderson, ‘Week 8’ by Morag Macgilchrist, ‘Time monologue’ by Grant Glennie and ‘Being autistic’ by Ruth Mutch.
You can see more videos and follow the group on: YouTube & Facebook – AutisticArtistsResearchGroup Twitter & Instagram – aar_group Scottish Autism is Scotland’s national autism charity. With over 50 years’ experience we are a leading authority and advocate for good autism practice. We offer a large range of services for autistic people including education, day and vocational opportunities, supported living, outreach and specialist transition support. We share our knowledge and expertise with parents, carers and other professionals in order to support the development of skills and strategies needed to provide the best care and support for autistic people.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/VSKLQE-9E5K
SCOTTISH AUTISM: REFLECTION AND LEARNINGS
Speaker: Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO, Scottish Autism
Duration: 11 minutes (approx) Covid turned all our lives upside down. As an organisation, we had to ask so much of our staff and the people we support. Charlene Tait, reflects on what we can learn from the first six months of the pandemic. Different minds. One Scotland. is the first national campaign on autism and was created in response to The Scottish Government Consultation on The Scottish Strategy for Autism, which highlighted the stigma and discrimination that autistic people face.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/K0ZHIMOKAC4
DIFFERENT MINDS. ONE SCOTLAND. – AUTISM CAMPAIGN
Speaker: Claire Prentice, Head of Safer and Greener Marketing at The Scottish Government
Duration: 16 minutes (approx) The campaign was created by The Scottish Government in partnership with autistic people to support the delivery of the vision behind the Scottish Strategy for Autism.
Different minds. One Scotland. is stage one of a three stage strategic marketing approach aimed at the non-autistic population.
In stage one, the campaign aims to deliver a clearer understanding of autism and dispel some of the myths around autism. Building a solid foundation of knowledge based on fact on which we can build upon.
The campaign will launch on Monday 5th of October. The One Stop Shop Aberdeen is a project run by Triple A's (Autism Awareness Association in Aberdeen) which is an entirely autism led peer support charity for people on the autistic spectrum. The One Stop Shop Aberdeen provides information, training, consultation services and support for autistic people, their families, and professionals. Our frontline staff are all autistic and use their lived experiences to reframe the narrative around autism, provide insight into what it is like to be autistic, and help develop support strategies. https://webspace.oss-aberdeen.co.uk/
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/XEWQSWRNXWW
EXPERIENCES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Speakers: Hugh McAloon, Deputy Director, Directorate for Mental Health, The Scottish Government Marion McLaughlin, Manager, One Stop Shop Aberdeen / Triple A’s
Duration: 54 minutes (approx) Hugh McAloon, Deputy Director of Mental Health at the Scottish Government talks with Marion McLaughlin from Triple A’s to discuss her experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic and the work the Scottish Government is doing in learning from these experiences to improve autism policy development. SWAN is committed to building on the wider autism knowledge base through highlighting, respecting and sharing the lived experiences of autistic women and girls. It is an inclusive organisation. SWAN offers peer support for autistic women, facilitated by autistic women, with local meet-up groups running currently online for autistic women in the Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Highland areas. There is also an online private chat forum called SWAN Conversations.
Members of the SWAN network have contributed to Scottish Autism's Right Click for Women and Girls in every aspect including designing and conducting research for the content, taking part in filmed interviews for the resource, participating in research surveys and focus groups and acting as reviewers for the content.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/_CPGWZBBZHK
INCLUSIVE WORKING PRACTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Speaker: Dr Catriona Stewart OBE, Organisational Development Lead, SWAN: Scottish Women’s Autism Network
Duration: 20 minutes (approx) SWAN is one of the Scottish Government’s successful Improving Understanding of Autism fund-holder charities. Our project is working to enable autistic women in employment through: a programme of support for employers to create a more inclusive workplace environment for their autistic employees and support for employees in building skills and confidence to self-care.
We have a talented, experienced team delivering this project and are engaging with employees and building training resources for employers across every sector. Access to meaningful work, healthily, free from discrimination, is a human right and an issue of citizenship. Autistic employees don’t need ‘special treatment’, but equity and inclusion. Dr Catriona Stewart, OBE & John Scott, QC
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/WDWZXFMSG50
HUMAN RIGHTS, POLICING, AND AUTISM, IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
Speakers: Dr Catriona Stewart OBE, Contributor John Scott, QC, Chair, Independent Advisory Group to the Scottish Police Authority
Duration: 28 minutes In April 2020, Human Rights lawyer, John Scott QC, was tasked with forming and chairing an Independent Advisory Group to the Scottish Police Authority as a response to the rapidly implemented COVID-19 legislation that had effectively stripped the population of their Human Rights. Dr Stewart, as a member of this group, has advised and informed the police in Scotland; she has also sought lived experience data and accounts from the autistic population in Scotland of their experiences of the emergency legislation and guidelines, within a Human Rights context. In this presentation, Catriona and John discuss their experiences and what they have learned. Studio III provides in-house training in the management of challenging behaviour throughout the UK and Ireland to organisations in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. Its courses are BILD accredited and are based on the adoption of low-arousal techniques and the teaching of gentle physical skills. The training is designed for those who work in the care and education of people who present challenging behaviours and includes training programmes specifically for parents. Studio III has a team of psychologists and therapists who provide a range of clinical services to staff teams and service users. Their work includes psychological assessments, individual behavioural management plans, staff supervision and support and service audits.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/M_XMDJD810K THE REFLECTIVE JOURNEY
Speaker: Professor Andrew McDonnell, Studio III
Duration: 55 minutes (approx) In this presentation, Professor Andrew McDonnell will be speaking about his own personal reflective journey as a practitioner working in the field of managing distressed behaviour. Throughout his career supporting a wide range of individuals, Professor McDonnell has discovered that managing behaviour of concern is as much about us as practitioners as it is about the individual. The Low Arousal Approach is a concept which originates in the early 1990s, centred around recognising and managing distress and signs of physical and emotional arousal. In this talk, Professor McDonnell will discuss the application of Low Arousal approaches in caring environments, and what makes a good Low Arousal practitioner. The University of Kent is one of the country’s leading academic institutions producing world-class research, rated internationally excellent and leading the way in many fields of study. We are a forward-thinking research institution, committed to the transformative power of education and research and to the development and support of our students and staff.
PRESENTATION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/YWUSNT1C_5I
AUTISM AND THE DOUBLE EMPATHY PROBLEM
Speakers: Dr Damian Milton, The University of Kent
Duration: 30 minutes (approx) Embedded within diagnostic criteria for autism is the idea that autistic people have impaired social understanding. A number of psychological theories suggest autistic people have a deficit in empathising with others or in ‘theory of mind’ – the ability to imagine the thoughts and feelings of others, in order to comprehend and predict their behaviour. It is certainly true that autistic people, particularly when young, can struggle to process and understand the ‘quick-fire’ social interactions which many non-autistic people take for granted. Yet to what extent do such interactions require empathy? To what extent do non- autistic people acquire a ‘theory of autistic mind’? What do we mean when we talk of empathy? Where does the ability to predict the thoughts and actions of others reside? This presentation reflects upon the concept of empathy in relation to autistic people and their interactions with non-autistic people, and describes the theory of the ‘double empathy problem’ and its implications for practice. According to the theory of the ‘double empathy problem’, these issues are due to a breakdown in reciprocity and mutual understanding that can happen between people of very differing dispositions. THE SCOTTISH STRATEGY FOR AUTISM EIGHTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUTISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS PRESENTATION GUIDE
THANK YOU TO: ALL OF THE ORGANISATIONS AND PRESENTERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED
THE TEAM AT BANNTECH LTD, NAMELY ALEKSANDRA CHYBOWSKA; ANDREW DUNN AND OLIWIA FEDCZYSZYN THE TEAM AT CAMERON, NAMELY TONY BROWN; ADAM CAMERON, JESS MALOUMI; CHRIS NORMAN AND ADAM WYROSLAWSKI