National ASD Development Team
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National ASD Development Team Annual Report 2017-18 31st May 2018 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Roll Out of Integrated Autism Services in Wales ............................................................................. 3 Increasing Awareness and Improving Public Service Responses .................................................. 8 Co-ordination and Delivery of Training ........................................................................................... 10 ASDinfoWales Website and Communications ................................................................................. 11 General On-going Support and Awareness ..................................................................................... 13 The Year Ahead 2018/19................................................................................................................... 13 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) / Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADiR) Training ............................................................................................................. 15 Early Years Learning with Autism Programme ....................................................................... 15 Primary School Learning with Autism Programme ................................................................. 16 Secondary School Learning with Autism Programme ............................................................ 17 Case Studies ................................................................................................................................ 19 2 | P a g e Introduction This Report summarises the work undertaken by the National ASD Development Team during 2017-18. The Team is hosted by the WLGA, funded by Welsh Government and works in partnership with Public Health Wales, various partners and stakeholders across Wales. It has been both an exciting and challenging time for the Team over the past year, and in supporting the development and roll out of Integrated Autism Services throughout Wales. Work also continued on the development of new resources to support the on-going work undertaken by Autism Leads and others to raise awareness and equip professionals to have a better understanding of the needs of autistic people and how those needs can be met. The Team has changed over the past year with the departures of Senior staff who WLGA thank for their services. The Team have had many notable achievements during the year. This is as a result of working closely with staff and stakeholders and the Team remain committed to building upon this and embedding good practice across Wales. However, despite the hard work and commitment of the staff and partners, some work areas are not progressing as quickly as initially hoped and these will be taken forward this year. While improvements in key areas have been made, and public awareness of and sensitivity to autism continues to increase, there remains much to do to ensure autistic people receive a timely diagnosis, appropriate support and assistance and are able to achieve improved outcomes in all aspects of lives. 3 | P a g e Roll Out of Integrated Autism Services in Wales The National ASD Development Team played a critical role in establishing and supporting the development of an Integrated Autism Service in Wales, an important innovation envisioned and created by the Team following extensive engagement with autistic people, their families and carers, key partners and professionals. Working closely with Welsh Government, local authorities and health, regional IASs have and are being developed, contributing to a national service with similar and consistent standards and practice, providing advice, guidance and offering practical solutions to a range of challenges. During the year a number of regional IASs came into being and were operational while other regions continue to make progress – it is anticipated that there will be an operational IAS in each region by Autumn 2018. The Team played a key role in supporting the creation and formation of an IAS for Wales and have continued to support their creation and establishment and continue to do so for those areas not yet fully operational. To support the development of an IAS, during the year the Team has: • Produced the National Guidance for the IAS in Wales, setting out the role, structure and • Provided five day ASD/IAS specialised training session for three of the IASs • Facilitated and supported Pathway and Engagement events regionally The Regional ASD Development Officers have worked closely at the regional level in helping to shape and establish an IAS. This critical resource has enabled support specific to the needs of that region and ensure their services are developed in the most appropriate way whilst maintaining consistency with other IASs. Provided below is a summary overview of each regional IAS and the progress that has been made this year in their establishment: Cardiff and the Vale The team were launched in September 2017 although not fully staffed and in a permanent base until March 2018. The Service has combined several existing services and the new IAS. Adult assessment and diagnosis is now being effectively embedded into the service with robust links established with adult mental health services – several mental health cases have been jointly worked with the team. In addition, the service has offered specialist advice and guidance to a range of professionals and works closely with health, education and social care colleagues – this has included the development of resources on how to adapt practice. Support has been delivered on an individual and group basis e.g Socialeyes groups, Skills for Living workshops, the monthly forum. Feedback has been very positive ‘one person has left the house unaccompanied after many years’ and ‘several carers reported feeling heard and supported.’ 4 | P a g e Cwm Taf Initial scoping work has been undertaken by the team which has informed how the service has been developed and rolled out. The service is now operational and open for referrals although it will not be fully staffed until June 2018. A number of parent carer engagement events have been held prior to the team commencing work to ensure that there was a clear understanding locally of what the team’s role would be. In addition, there has been effective engagement with partners to help shape the roll out and identify areas for joint working. Gwent The Gwent IAS has been operational since September 2017. The service is overseen by a Service Manager who is employed jointly by Monmouthshire County Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board. The team have successfully reduced the Adult Diagnostic waiting time, however demand is increasing and maintaining diagnostic assessments at this level will be a challenge. Support is offered on an individual and group basis – which includes a regular weekly drop in session. Feedback has been very positive: “Thank you so much, this is the first time that I have felt listened to and supported and that has made a difference already” (individual). “Thank you for all you have done to support me” (individual). “I wish that I had attended this course a long time ago” (post diagnostic workshop). The team have partnered with the Expert Patient Programme to run some innovative and effective sessions – including one on confidence building. In addition, the team continue to give information and advice to Autistic individuals, their parents and carers and professionals. A joint ASD awareness raining event with the neuro- developmental services was held during World Autism Week. North Wales The IAS will be officially launched on 27th June and arrangements are currently underway for a conference to introduce the service to a variety of stakeholders across North Wales. Significant work has been undertaken in supporting the development of the IAS and in the progress that has been made by the region. The staff compliment is growing as more successful appointments are made to staff the IAS. The operational base has been identified (Greenfield Business Centre) and is being appropriately equipped, e.g. IT. Considerable effort has been made to work in a co-productive way and ensure stakeholder engagement. To raise awareness of the IAS and to ensure it is aligned as appropriate, two successful IAS pathway events have been held. In addition, Lived Experience Advisors have participated in operational meetings, task and finish groups and interview panels. 5 | P a g e Powys Powys was the first IAS to be developed and became operational in June 2017. The service has undertaken a huge amount of work developing their systems and processes and this has helped inform the development of the IASs in other areas. A mapping and gapping exercise has been undertaken to scope out existing parent/carer support groups in the county. New groups will be established with a view to them becoming self sustaining in the long term and in partnership with the 3rd sector if required. Adult diagnostic assessments have been commissioned in the interim whilst the service is being established. In addition, a range of support interventions have been established on an individual and group basis e.g. a leisure programme in the South of the county which will be replicated in the