Presentation carried out by the Autism Network Scotland looking into some of the early research they have carried out at their learning event in Glasgow for young people with Autism in Transition in Scotland. The work was carried out with Strathclyde University and was presented at the Scottish Transition Forum Scotland ( www.scottishtransitions.org.uk)

1. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk
Twitter: @Autism_Network

2. Network History
• Autism Network Scotland (ANS) is part of the
National Centre for Autism Studies, within
Strathclyde University.
• The network began as Scottish Autism
Services Network in 2005.
• Project was set up to:
- review local service provision
- determine gaps
- begin to develop locally linked professional
networks, throughout Scotland.
www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network

3. Key themes from audit:
-gaps in service provision, particularly at key
points of transition.
-a general lack of adult services and support.
-the need for clear information for individuals,
families and carers and professionals.
-the need for a good knowledge base for
professionals.
-need for more effective multi-agency working.
www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network

4. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
• 2011: Public Health Minister commits to
investing £13.4 million in the Scottish
Government and COSLA's new autism
strategy over the next four years.
• Autism Network Scotland funded until 2015
to support the implementation of range of
recommendations.
Scottish Strategy for
Autism

5. • To be a hub of impartial and reliable information
about autism services across Scotland.
• To signpost professionals, individuals on the autism
spectrum and their families and carers to the range of
services available at both a local and national level.
• To facilitate professional networks across Scotland to
support knowledge exchange and promote awareness
of autism.
• To develop networking opportunities for individuals
on the autism spectrum.
Autism Network Scotland Aims include:
www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network

6. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
• Survey sent out via email link and
link posted on website
• 498 people opened the email
invitation sent out and 206 took
the survey (41.37%).
• 211 people accessed the survey
through other means – from our
website or via a Twitter link to
the survey
• Total of 417 respondents

7. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Who responded?

8. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Areas of interest for respondents:

9. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Who takes the lead?

10. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
• 40% of respondents stated that
parents or individuals on the
spectrum should be responsible
for planning their own
transitions.
Transition Survey

11. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey

12. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey

13. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Key themes include:
Knowledge and awareness
Collaborative working
Transition in education
Transition from home to school/work
Transition into employment
Transition across life span

14. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
 Legislation and legal rights of people with autism.
 Knowledge and awareness about autism.
 Access to funding, resources, support and services.
 Transition plans, practical solutions and ways of
effectively including people with autism.
 Appropriate, on-going support post transition
Knowledge and awareness

15. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Need for:
Better information re: care pathways
More effective use of multi-agency pathways.
More opportunities to learn from practitioners
working in Transition across Scotland.
Clearer points of contact/lead professional
Improved inter-agency working.
Shared models of good transition for specific points of
transition.
Cross collaboration

16. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Education
Parental input into transition plans
Earlier start to planning.
Support for parents when deciding on school
placements.
Communication between school staff and family
Awareness re: autism and other barriers to
learning (dyslexia/ADHD).
Supporting learning and coping with exams/post
exam time.
Practical solutions and training.

17. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Employment
Need for
Better career support for entry into specialised
employment opportunities.
More information on career pathways.
‘Work place’ training for young people with autism.
 More information about legislation, funding
opportunities.
Lower expectations from families (practitioner
response.

18. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Additional comments.
Key themes include:
No comprehensive services directory.
Too much focus on theoretically positive
outcomes instead of destinations.
Lack of shared understanding.
Lack of clear transition strategy or ASD specific
awareness.
Problems persuading agencies to commit to
funding packages.
Crisis intervention prioritised over prevention.

19. www.autismnetworkscotland.org.uk Twitter: @Autism_Network
Transition Survey
Across the life span
Puberty.
Being single to being in a relationship.
Socialising with new peers.
Bridging the retirement gap.
Learning to be independent.
Housing benefits and legislation.
Child to adult mental health services.

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Transition Survey
What happens next?
Targeted information gathering.
Focused learning events providing information re:
projects, legislation and practical advice.
Feedback to the Scottish Government.
Consultation with Transition networks.
Information re: ‘life transitions’
(puberty/marriage).
Consultation with autism networks (An Ordinary
Life)