This document discusses the importance of preventative and low-level support services for autistic individuals in avoiding crisis and promoting independent living. It emphasizes that early intervention and prevention can reduce later needs for intensive crisis services. With appropriate support circles, many autistic adults can live independently in communities with only low-intensity support needs. The document outlines one organization's model for providing flexible, individualized preventative support to connect autistic individuals to services and support networks, in order to prevent potential crises.

1. CONNECT SUPPORT PREVENT

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. PREVENT
We PREVENT Crisis

10. DIVERSITY IN SUPPORTING NEED

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
Any Questions?