16. obstacles and solutions
TRANSCRIPT
PREVENTION COSTS LESS THAN CRISIS
Low-cost early intervention and prevention services
can reduce the need for high-cost acute support
associated with crisis management services in the
longer term.
With appropriate circles of support, many adults with
autism are able to live relatively independently in the
community, requiring only low-intensity services.
Without such support, there is increased risk of social
exclusion and of mental illness.
THE CARE ACT
Prevention:
Local authorities (and their partners in health, housing, welfare and employment services) must now take steps to prevent, reduce or delay the need for care and support for all local people.
PLEASE MIND THE GAP
� AIM is neither a mental health service nor a
learning disability service.
� We are a solution focused service that works
with individuals and their families to enable them
to live as independently as possible. With the
knowledge that if they need any further support,
it is available.
� We are filling the gap.
WHAT IS LOW LEVEL PREVENTATIVE SUPPORT?
� We see anything that prevents someone
heading towards crisis point as preventative
support.
� The support we are commissioned to deliver is
low level, however Autistic adults can be very
close to crisis point when they first come to us.
Even at that point we can prevent a crisis from
happening.
THE AIM MODEL OF SUPPORT
� Our low level preventative support service has
been designed to wrap around our service
users, pre and post diagnosis of autism.
� Our service is flexible and adapts to the needs
of our service users.
� We provide the support that individuals needs
not what a tick list says we can provide.
CONNECT
� We CONNECT with autistic individuals
� The Diagnostic Team
� The Crisis Team
� Community Mental Health Teams
� GP’s
� Social Care
� Housing Providers
� JobCentre Plus
� The Police
� Addiction Service Providers
� Parents and Carers
SUPPORT� We SUPPORT autistic individuals
� The Diagnostic Team
� The Crisis Team
� Community Mental Health Teams
� GP’s
� Social Care
� Housing Providers
� JobCentre Plus
� The Police
� Addiction Service Providers
� Parents and Carers
SELF AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING
� Self awareness and understanding is an important part of supporting need and preventing crisis.
� Some individuals have very little understanding about their autism and how it affects them.
� We designed and deliver ‘Me, Myself and Autism’ to improve the self-awareness and understanding of autistic adults.
WE ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS
� "I find it hard to make friends in other places. I’ve made friends coming to AIM." Ian
� "I like to come here because it helps to build my confidence, I need to keep coming to top it up – like reassurance." Terence.
� “There should be somewhere like this for everyone who has autism. This is the only place I know of anywhere we can have support and just talk.” Ron
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
� When I leave, I can’t wait until the next week for the next session." Steven
� "Everyone who comes here is really unique. I like that." Matthew
� “This place is the only reason I get out of bed on a Monday and Friday” Arron