Autistic spectrum conditions
Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC)
In November 2009 the Government passed the Autism Act covering all people with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC), including people with Asperger's Syndrome.
NHS Dorset and Dorset County Council started to develop a joint Dorset Autistic Spectrum Conditions Strategy, this moved to be Pan-Dorset in late summer 2010 and is now available from the downloads section of this page. An easy read version is also available.
Asperger's presents many challenges for the individual, their families and statutory and non-statutory services. To help people understand more about Asperger's, conferences were held in June 2010 and January 2011. This raised awareness and provided an opportunity to explore the nature of Asperger's and support for individuals with this condition.
The conferences involved people with Asperger's, their families and professionals from across Dorset. It highlighted the need for understanding Asperger's, issues arising in the family setting and how to provide positive support and interventions for people who have Asperger's.
Particular aspects considered were:
- providing positive support
- the lived experience
- the launch of the consultation for commissioning ASC services in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
- the role of the voluntary sector
Further information and advice is available including a list of useful telephone numbers.
Aspergers conferences
The conference held January 2011 highlighted local commissioning strategy and service delivery and was opened by Roger Browning, the Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive. The inspirational keynote speech was by senior lecturer in Autism, Dr Luke Beardon of Sheffield Hallam University. It left many challenging their approach and views on autism in a positive way.
