Support needs for autistic people
Spectrum Condition. Together with their families, this means autism is a part of daily life
for 2.8 million people.
Society not accommodating their social needs, expecting them to fit in. As they can't
understand that autism is a hidden disability
What we did
To better understand the needs of people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, it is important that every voice is heard.
A need for improved support was highlighted to Healthwatch Wandsworth by a number of local residents and voluntary sector organisations.
When we heard that Wandsworth Borough Council was updating their Autism Strategy we wanted to find out more about what Wandsworth residents think about services and how they can better support the needs of people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition.
A survey was advertised on social media and websites. These surveys were then taken to outreach events.
Key Findings
- Awareness needs to be raised and knowledge within the service and wider Community
- Professionals that interact with autistic people need help to communicate with them.
- There needs to be more information about support and clearer communication
- Parents and carers need more information about autism, support services and have easier access to the service or information
- Places that meet the social and physical needs for autistic people in both real life and online need to be more available.
- People need support with managing a household. There also needs to be an awareness in various communities so the adequate social support can be provided for autistic people.
- People with autism would like to have a job and earn their own income. However, people expressed that there needs to be more support and flexibility from employers to accommodate them.
More Findings
- More help is needed for health and care professionals to understand the needs of autistic people and to improve communication, particularly at key points where people might access support, such as schools, GP surgeries, with social workers and service access teams.
- Wider community awareness and knowledge could help people to better interact with autistic residents.
- Information could be communicated online, via social media and in public places. It needs to be clear, direct and visual and is particularly important at the point of access to services.
- More opportunities for social interaction and community activities that meet the needs of autistic people. Worries about safety online and in public places should be considered.
- Many people wanted support with managing housing arrangements, finances and keeping safe and more general information about the support that is available.
- Responses suggested a need for person centred and holistic support. Support needs varied and people mentioned that they wanted help with flexible work arrangements and how they are communicated with in the workplace. Issues relating to transport and housing locations and managing travel also related to how suitable and successful employment will be.
- An employment support service may want to look at how they support employers and promote good workplace practices and could incorporate help managing finances so that jobs accommodate the need for flexibility.
- People diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Condition have different support needs and not just the people who also have a learning difficulty or mental health diagnosis.
- Support needs cross many aspects of a person’s life and there are interrelated concerns, particularly around managing finances, information and communication.
- If support needs are not met in one area, other areas of that person’s life are affected.
Downloads
If you need this report in a different format, please e-mail
enquiries@healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk or call 020 8516 7767
