Autism and independence

Available for purchase (full colour, £0.01 plus £2.00 p+p)
or download (in PDF) in 'Related resources' below.

This report is about ordinary expectations and extraordinary people. In the
course of interviewing people for this project those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), service planners, commissioners, families I was struck again and again by the ordinariness of peoples wishes: the desire for a place where they could enjoy living, the chance to pursue the things that matter to them, and an opportunity to obtain employment (whether economically gainful or not).

While more is now known about the nature of ASD, this understanding is not always reflected in government or local authority policies, local authority structures, commissioning strategies and services on the ground.

The Government has stated several key outcomes for adults towards which social care services should work, in order to improve peoples quality of life¹:

• improved health
• making a positive contribution
• exercise of choice and control
• freedom from discrimination and harassment
• economic well-being
• personal dignity.

This report aims to provide local authorities with helpful guidelines and
recommendations which will support them in improving their services for adults with an ASD. Recognising the challenges facing local authorities, including commissioners and providers, the report also offers case studies of good practice alongside a series of key recommendations.

If this report can play even a small part in helping service planners and
commissioners understand what they must do to make these outcomes a reality for more people with an ASD, it will have achieved its goal.

Edward Dowell

Research by: Edward Dowell
Compiled by: Neil Johns and Annie Cooper, with contributions from Alan Bicknell, Amanda Batten, Carol Povey, Mia Rosenblatt, Kathryn Quinton and Elizabeth Ayris

¹ Department of Health Green Paper (2005). Independence, well-being and choice: our vision for the future of social care for adults in England. London: Department of Health

Related resources

• Autism and independence - a guide for local authorities Author: The National Autistic Society Code: NAS 747 £0.01 excl. vat £0.01 incl. vat

• Autism and independence (PDF)
  A guide for local authorities: enabling adults with an autism spectrum disorder to achieve greater independence

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