Specialist Autism Consultancy Services

Here to provide specialised consultancy based on sound knowledge and understanding of the autism spectrum.

"Our autism advisors respond to the needs of individuals right across the age range and across the autism spectrum."

Families and services supporting an individual on the autism spectrum are likely to require additional autism specialist resources in order to respond to their needs. Appropriate input can enhance the lives of these individuals and their families. (Public Health Institute of Scotland, 2001; The Scottish Government, 2000).

Knowledge and expertise in the field of autism continues to evolve and develop. Scottish Autism has extensive experience of enabling and supporting families and we recognise that families have many and varied support needs. This can range from requiring information to practical and emotional support around daily challenges.

Our approach is informed by engaging with current research and through direct experience of implementing our knowledge in wide ranging support situations.

Our advisors all possess an academic qualification in Autism, together with at least 16 years direct experience of supporting individuals on the autism spectrum across settings and age span. Our aim is to facilitate the achievement of positive outcomes for individuals, families, professionals and organisations.

Consultancy Referrals

Autism advisors can offer advice and information to families however Consultancy is a service which requires to be funded. We are able to develop detailed, costed proposals to local authorities or other organisations who wish to access this service on behalf of families or individuals.

The nature of consultancy is dependent on each individual circumstance. However the guiding rationale is recognition that, by its very nature, consultancy input is intensive and short term. We therefore strive to capacity build by involving the key people who support the individual or family.

Previous work includes direct support within family homes, supporting staff teams in day centre facilities, supporting individuals on the spectrum to be more independent in their own home and collaborative working with a range of professionals.

References

Public Health Institute of Scotland (2001) Autistic Spectrum disorders Needs Assessment Report. Glasgow: NHS.

The Scottish Government (2000) The Same as You? A review of services for people with learning disabilities. Edinburgh: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

Individualised assessment

It is widely recognised that people on the autism spectrum require an environment and approach adapted to their condition. To ensure that this is specific to the needs of each individual, accurate individualised assessment is vital.

Our autism advisors are trained in a range of autism specific assessment tools. These include the Psycho Educational Profile- Revised (PEP-R); the Adolescent and Adult Psychoeducational Profile (AAPEP), and the TEACCH Transition and Assessment Profile (TTAP).

The statistics for people on the spectrum acquiring and maintaining employment, while improving, reveal a particular area of need. Both the AAPEP and the TTAP are designed to provide information that can be used to support transition into a vocational or semi-vocational setting. The TTAP’s ongoing, informal assessment component in particular is designed to support this process.