The event was attended by 85 people including individuals with autism, family members, and health and social care professionals from 12 of the 13 local authority areas in the North East and Cumbria region. Feedback indicated that attendees were pleased with the diversity of housing and support models discussed as well as examples of collaborative work across services. However, challenges around collaboration, autism awareness training, and community-based post-diagnosis support were identified. Burning issues included a lack of peer support, advocacy services, and talking therapies to reduce isolation. Next steps discussed continuing connection in the region through technology-enabled communication and holding a follow-up workshop in March 2016.

1. AUTISM INCLUDED hosted by
Autism Event for the North East & Cumbria
11th December 2015
Event headlines & feedback
85 people plus speakers attended the day. 12 of the 13 Local Authority areas were
represented (Cumbria was unable come due the flooding problem they had at that time) –
a mix of people with Autism, family members & health & social care professionals.
What people said is going well
There was a lot of diversity in what people said they were pleased about and some
consistency on:
- Different housing & support models
- Some examples of collaborative pieces of work across services & with people
What people said are challenges or need to get better
There was much more consistency in this from people at the event.
They want to improve:
- Collaboration & joint working – this is across the local authority and NHS services
as well as with people with autism, their family members and the community and
voluntary sector providers
- Autism awareness training and the need for a coordinated approach to the design
and delivery (involving people with autism as co-trainers)
- Community based and autism specific support for people post diagnosis especially
those who are not learning disabled
We asked about Burning issues & people’s greatest concerns were:
- The lack of peer support, autism advocacy & other low level support (such as
talking therapies) which maintain good mental health and reduce social isolation
- Ensuring joint working across services & areas
- coproduction with people on the spectrum & families as appropriate
- Support to get a job
- Understanding the impact & effectiveness of the autism training there has been to
date – is anyone doing that?
Next steps together
We asked if those there would like to continue to connect & if they did how & around what:
There was overwhelming positive feedback for a North East & Cumbria system of
communication with many practical suggestions about how this would work in practice.
There was particular interest in making good use of technology. We are proposing a follow
on half-day workshop around March 2016 to take the ideas forward from the event.

2. AUTISM INCLUDED hosted by
Our learning & reflections from us as partners
What we think went well
Working together as 3 partners – different skills, connections & knowledge
Majority of presentation slots being co- delivered by people with Autism & without
The energy & interest of those there – presenters & attendees
What we think could have been better
We worked people hard & crammed a lot into the agenda
Letting so many people attend meant we overspent on the catering budget
We didn’t get the follow up out before Christmas & that got in the way