Number 6 One Stop Shop for adults with Asperger Syndrome

1. Number 6One Stop Shop for adults with Asperger Syndrome Jane Neil-MacLachlan June 2007 update

2. History Following 2 Parliamentary debates, the Scottish Executive commissioned a national needs assessment for people with ASD and their families

3. This report was published in 2002 and made 32 recommendations The Scottish Executive undertook to implement them

4. Among the recommendations was the need to recognise people who had ASD but did not have a Learning Disability This applied to diagnosis but also to service provision The various recommendations were collated and applied to a model identified by a group of parents, professionals and people with Asperger Syndrome

5. What came out of this was a proposal for a �One Stop Shop� for adults with Asperger Syndrome /High Functioning Autism The Scottish Executive gave �750,000 for a three year pilot project A formal steering group was formed and drew up service specification The specification was put out to tender

6. �Autism Initiatives� was awarded the contract to provide the service Not all of the money was given to Autism Initiatives Some was kept back for a range of complementary projects as well as an independent evaluation

7. Development of the Service Scottish Executive made some stipulations A place A small core staff group Professionals from a range of backgrounds should work collaboratively at the centre Health needs in the broadest sense should be addressed

8. Prevention of admission to very specialist settings (hospitals or prisons) Precise activities to be determined according to need but could include: Social skills groups, Health maintenance and improvement Parents and carers self help groups Employment coaching

9. Number 6 �The One Stop Shop for adults with AS/HFA� Located very centrally in Edinburgh Good public transport Very quiet area

10. The place 6 Melville Crescent A large Georgian town house 3 Spacious rooms in the basement Large Training room Library/resource room Reception & an office Parking spaces

11. The Staff Manager Outreach Worker Employment and Training worker Volunteer co-ordinator Sessional staff as required Administrator + various Health Professionals, Education & Social Work staff

12. The process Open referral system including self referral Profile completion Service provision as required Flexible opening hours: some drop in, some appointment only to allow case work

13. The service General advice/info Outreach Diagnosis advice/support Social activities Benefits advice Crisis intervention Employment support Housing Support Volunteer support Library and Information Resource Internet room Education support Accommodation Space/Time out

14. Health Advice/support Remote reporting Police Station Training Signposting/refer on Self help groups Life Skills support Specific Groups Adult men 16-19 yr. olds Young women's group + any new requirements/suggestions

15. Social Activities Quiz nights Film Club Walking Group Drop in pool sessions World Cup sessions Music group Art Group Saturday sessions: relaxing with papers & coffee, 9 ball pool, Warhammer group, films, preparing lunch, chess etc

16. Christmas Party Attended by 35 + service users In the evening All the rooms were used for different purposes Food Live Music A quiet room Games �Casino� 9 Ball Pool Transport if required

17. Holiday days out for people who may not have had a major change of scene for years Funded by staff! (ran a marathon) Art Group Calendar raised �1300

18. Volunteers 47 volunteers have been trained and Police checked (so far!) Waiting list for training Carry out all sorts of activities as required E.g : library/information resource, befriending, group work, admin, supporting social activities etc etc

19. Training Specific Asperger/HFA focus Parents 6 week course � Supporting a family member with Asperger Syndrome� Programme of courses for Health and Social Work professionals �Understanding and working with adults with AS/HFA� Short introductory courses Volunteer training courses

20. 2 way training Staff attend courses to update knowledge and skills as they become aware of needs Sexuality Bereavement Mental Health Issues CBT

21. Research Various projects ongoing with people's consent Edinburgh University Contacted by so many other Universities that research involvement protocol drawn up

22. PASDA (parents group) runs a weekly coffee morning for parents of service users ELAS (independent group for people with AS) meets monthly at the centre

23. Collaborative working Health staff use the centre to see clients referred for diagnosis To run a group To liaise with staff re individuals To teach and learn Adult Autism Co-ordinator, Consultant Psychiatrists, Specialist Registrars, Nurses, Therapists etc

24. Social Workers attend training Voluntary organisations` staff attend training and/or work with clients or staff in the centre Employment specialist organisation works collaboratively with centre clients and staff

25. Outreach Staff work outwith the centre as required There is a monthly open session in each of the local counties (East Lothian, Mid Lothian and West Lothian) People can come along and find out about possible activities or support available Staff can find out local needs and identify ways of addressing them

26. How is the service used Some people only access one particular service Others may access several aspects of the centre`s services Centre opening hours allow for late opening on three nights per week and alternate Saturdays Closed sessions allow time individual work and training

27. Girls Group �Another girl like me� To build self confidence and self esteem To provide an opportunity to meet other women with AS To enable them to access the community and participate in the same kinds of activity as their peers To provide a safe forum to discuss personal issues such as sexual health

28. 12 women eligible to attend but 4 regular members (others at work/college) A variety of activities Speakers: personal safety, sexuality, fitness, sleep, healthy eating Practical activities: jewellery making and crafts, preparing meals (& eating them) Patio garden project Fun: Karaoke, Barbecues

29. The Thursday Afternoon Philosophy Club For late diagnosed men with AS and co morbid Mental Health Problems and/or Offending Behaviour A safe haven for discussing a range of topics Structured but, respecting the men's age and life experience, they set the agenda The use of humour is key

30. 8 men have attended over the past year. 3 moved on to employment/education,2 left due to illness or distance. Activities: non competitive games, speakers, discussion of various topics Underlying aim to reduce social isolation, address anxiety, anger and self esteem problems Identify worrying mental states at an early stage in order to mobilise help as required

31. Current numbers (May 2007) People using service:258 16-25:132 26-40: 75 41-59: 29 60-79: 5 Male:203 Female:38 Parents:17 Numbers of activities accessed:7466 Enquiries/telephone advice: 3557 Training Course attendees:3055

32. Stop Press! New developments Employment of a Social Firm co-ordinator Grant to develop possibility of self employment for people with AS

33. Areas for discussion Who the centre is for? AS/HFA? Age for access to centre Attendance from outwith the area? Allocation of staff time & expertise Encouraging use of centre by other professionals Continuation strategy

34. Some comments �There is calmness, actual acceptance, a welcoming feeling. You can come and know it's alright; it's ok to come here. Whatever is happening you can fit in, there is a structure but its not rigid�

35. �Support is different, I thought I would meet a group�.I thought this is what I had to do, I have become a false person��..I am not false here; I can be exactly what I am, say exactly what I am thinking and know that people are not going to be upset�

36. �I didn't have enormous expectations, you get used to not having expectations, I try not to set my expectations too high but I am quite satisfied� �Concerns have been absolutely listened to and taken into consideration. There has been no judgement; there is complete acceptance and help�

37. However! � The place is always empty and lacks atmosphere� �People outwith the region are excluded�

38. Is it working? (NCAS evaluation) 80% of service users felt positive or very positive about their overall experience of Number6 Service providers from Health, Education and Social Work all rated Number 6 highly (numbers not provided)

39. 100% of parents and carers felt that their family member has benefited from the service or support they received 85% of the parents felt that they themselves had benefited

40. What else is needed? Partners group Specific Counselling More Therapeutic Groups Clinical Psychology Input More staff (of the same calibre!)

41. What has been learnt Useful to have employed a Voluntary Organisation They can be more flexible than a Health Board/Local Authority They can appeal for charitable funding Used to making money last! Adversity can lead to innovative solutions

42. Personal View There has been a massive and measurable reduction in social isolation Somewhere to refer people on to after (late) diagnosis At last this hitherto unacknowledged population has access to understanding and relevant support and a place of their own

43.  That�s All Folks!