The document discusses support for adults with autism spectrum conditions in Trafford. It outlines the goals of the national autism strategy to improve understanding, diagnosis, services and support. Trafford has established an autism partnership board and extended services team for diagnosis and support. The extended services team provides diagnostic assessments, post-diagnostic support groups, and raises awareness of autism through training. The goal is for adults with autism to live fulfilling lives with understanding and acceptance from their community.

1. Support for Adults with Autism
Spectrum Conditions in Trafford
Dr. Anna Dodd –Clinical Psychologist ( Autism Lead GMW Mental Health
Trust)
Geraldine Thompson-Curran – Team Manager Trafford Extended Services
(GMW)
Jane Forrest – Autism Support Coordinator ( CWP NHS Trust)

2. “Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives” The Adult Autism Strategy
2010 (updated “Think Autism” 2014)
Autism affects more than 1 in 100 people
The Vision
All adults with autism are able to live fulfilling and
rewarding lives within a society that accepts and
understands them”
Goals of the strategy
• Each local area to appoint an Autism Lead
• Progress in local areas audited by
Department of Health
• Pathway for assessments and diagnosis
• Greater understanding and awareness
• Improving access to the services and
support that will help adults to live
independently
• Helping people into work
• Enabling local partners to plan and develop
appropriate services for adults with Autism

3. Membership of Trafford’s Autism Partnership Board
• Trafford Council (chair)
• Trafford CCG
• People with autism and family members
• Trafford Carers Centre
• GMW Mental Health Trust
• Greater Manchester Police
• CWP (Community Learning Disability Team)
• Trafford Housing Trust
• Local voluntary sector Providers:
– Trafford CIL
– ASGMA
– UR (Supported Employment)

4. TRAFFORD EXTENDED
SERVICE (TES)

5. Diagnosis
Composition of Adult Diagnostic Team
Administrative staff
Consultant Psychiatrist
Clinical Psychologist (Autism specialist)
Team Leader
Mental Health Practitioners x 2
Speech and Language Therapist 0.4 WTE
Assistant Psychologist

6. Pathways
Adults requiring a diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum
Conditions.
Adults with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), or
requiring a diagnosis of ADHD.
Medication advice for Primary Care.

7. TES is the single point of access for all referrals for ASC diagnosis
– both LD and Non-LD
On receipt of referral from GP an information form is sent and
completed by the client.
This information is discussed by the MDT and a decision is made
whether the client has a LD.
If so, referral is forwarded to CLDT
If not, it stays with TES

8. Assessment Process
Initial assessment with client.
Would usually involve 2 members of the TES team
General overview of difficulties
Identifying signs of ASC, which would warrant further assessment
Risk screen.
Additional screening assessments are also given out at the initial
assessment
Autism Quotient (AQ)
Social communication questionnaire (SCQ)
GAD 7, PHQ 9.
The assessment can finish at initial – if no ASC signs.

9. Assessment process continued
If ASC is indicated by the initial assessment:
• Autism Diagnostic Interview – revised (ADI–R)
- development history with parents/carer carried out by 1
practitioner
- This may require more than 1 appointment
• The assessment can complete at this point if enough evidence
of an ASC has been gained from initial and developmental
history to determine presence/absence of an ASC.

10. Assessment Process continued…
If further evidence of an ASC is required:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
(ADOS) Module 4.
- semi-structured interview carried out by 2 practitioners
The assessment can complete at this point if enough evidence of
an ASC has been gained to determine presence/absence of an
ASC.

11. Assessment Process continued…
If further evidence of ASC required:
Additional assessments
Theory of mind, social understanding, emotional recognition
Speech and language assessments
Psychiatric assessment
At any potential assessment end point results are discussed in
ASC supervision as an MDT
Full report written to GP and client

12. Services offered for ASC
The most complex and enduring, severe and
risky people will be assessed against the
complexity criteria and can be care managed on
full CPA

13. Complexity Criteria

14. Post Diagnostic Support from
diagnostic team
• Short-term post diagnostic 1:1 support
– helping client to understand and accept diagnosis and implications
– Looking at recommendations of report – signposting to other services
as appropriate – Social Care Assessment, IAPT, Non statutory services,
Blue Sci, ASGMA, Carers centre, employment support etc
• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)
• Post Diagnosis meeting for family members ( 2 sessions) with
link to Autism Carers group ( Trafford Carers Centre)
• TES Coping Skills Group (10 sessions)
• Social Skills Group (12 sessions)

15. Services offered for ASC
• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

17. Services offered for ASC
• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

18. Services offered for ASC
• Post Diagnostic group (7-10 sessions)

19. Awareness of the needs of people with autism
spectrum conditions
“Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives” (2010) and “Think Autism” (update
2014) Stressed the central part played by training and awareness
raising in supporting people to recognise and understand the needs of
people with ASC and make “reasonable Adjustments” to the way that
they work.
Bespoke training and on-going advice and consultation as requested e.g:
• Probation
• Social workers and social care assessors
• Mental health teams ( community and in-patient)
• Care agencies
• Colleges
• Supported living providers
• Employers

20. An Introduction to Autism
Spectrum Conditions

21. Assessing the social care
needs of adults with autism
Training for social care assessors, social workers
and those carrying out an assessment role
3rd February 2016

22. An Introduction to Autism
Spectrum Conditions
Greater Manchester Police
Thursday 24th September 2015