AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER REFERENCE GROUP
Note of meeting held on 2 July 2007 , in St Andrews House, Edinburgh .
Present :
Ken Aitken, Action Against Autism
John Cameron, Autism Resource Centre, Glasgow
Joanna Daly, National Autistic Society
Paul Dickinson, Highland NHS PC Trust
Bette Francis, Scottish Executive (Chair)
Susan Gilroy, Scottish Executive
Jane Hook, Parent
Alison Leask, Autism Argyll
Stella Macdonald, Consultant and service user
John McDonald, Scottish Society for Autism
Jane Neil-Maclachlan, Lothian PCT
Jenny Pickthall, Scottish Executive
Charlene Tait, National Centre for Autism Studies
Marion Thompson, Scottish Executive
Apologies
Iain McClure, Tommy MacKay, Linda Connelly, Carolyn Brown, Moira Dickinson, Richard Ibbotson, Carol Evans, Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Wendy Johnston, Val Sellars, Val Murray and Jean Maclellan.
After welcoming the group the note of the last meeting was agreed.
Matters arising
Evaluation of the projects by analytical services
Bette was not able to confirm action on this as a postholder had not been replaced and the manager was on leave.
Information sheets on projects
We could not justify the cost of having a stand at the ADSW conference but the information about the projects will still go out to the PiP and the SASN networks. They can also go on organisation websites and be advertised more broadly to let people know about the good work that is going on. The group welcomed the news that the National Centre for Autism Studies has approval to deliver an MSc in the autumn.
Susan reported that the education group are working on a resource pack for local authorities which will include guidance for information for parents and on training. The ASL Act promotes good planning for children and a communication strategy is being developed.
Framework for autism guidance
The sensory impairment guidance which issued recently was put forward as a model the group could use. The group agreed that it provided a good framework for our guidance. It was agreed to keep the guidance relatively concise with links to further information, policies and legislation. Stella encouraged the group to be aware of the specific challenges for people with autism. The NAS have standards that could be used in the guidance. The group discussed their thoughts on outcomes and Charlene suggested a diagram which showed the various pathways for people with ASD would be useful. It was agreed that the National Training Framework will be referenced in the guidance and annexed. The project overviews will also be included in the annexes Other suggestions for links; the primary care resource work and research done by NCAS students. We will link with the results of the NAS questionnaire for the timing of the release of the guidance.
Action Point - NAS standards to be sent to the group for comments.
Marion Thompson
Action Point - draft shell of guidance using the framework suggested.
Bette Francis
Ken Aitken updated the group on the work that is being done in Europe.
(Paper separate)
Any other business
· The group were told that the updated Direct Payments Guidance issued this week and the SIGN guidelines have been launched.
· There has been a multi agency group put together in Fife to address police protocols for the constabulary.
· Stella will join the Users and Carers group which will now have a wider client group interest.
Date of the next meeting - Thursday 11 October at 10.30 in the Europa Building, Glasgow