New 'one-stop' team for ASD

[av16]

I was at a conference on Friday and we were given information on a new team - they will take referrals from professionals and parents for children (&yp) up to 19 if there are indications of a possible ASD (or ASC- condition rather than disorder). The team is multi-disciplinary - specialist SALT, a Paed., someone from CAMHS. They have drawn up some questionnaires for parents/professionals to complete with questions that may give some indication of a possible ASD.

I think this is quite a positive step - as a teacher I know what to do if I have any concerns, they even give some guidance of how to explain to parents. Hopefully it should make the whole process of diagnosis much quicker and more straightforward.

 

Probably when put into practice there will be some problems but I think it indicates the LA acknowledge the current situation isn't good enough. The 2 hour session was very good, lots on the issues that people with ASd/C face. I wish all my DS teachers were there; it was very hard to listen to as a parent though.

 

The day finished with a discussion about the LA considering the idea of stopping statements and just giving more money direct to the school; the response from us was unanimously against the idea, I made it very clear how I felt - even with a statement it's still a struggle to get what DS needs - without there'd be no hope. They agreed to drop the whole idea.

 

If anyone is interested I can give you more information - probably in the new year when the team's website is up and running.

 

AV

[Kathryn]

The day finished with a discussion about the LA considering the idea of stopping statements and just giving more money direct to the school; the response from us was unanimously against the idea, I made it very clear how I felt - even with a statement it's still a struggle to get what DS needs - without there'd be no hope. They agreed to drop the whole idea.

 

Well how big of them. As the statementing system is enshrined in law, stopping them is not within this or any other LA's power, thank goodness.

 

It sounds like a good step forward, av, Iit would be interesting to hear how it works in practice and whether the new system results in problems being registered and acted upon earlier, and clearer diagnoses being made.

 

K x

[fallgyrl]

Hi Av

 

This really does sound like a good move - at least the LA are openly discussing and acknowledging existing problems in dealing with these complex cases. However, as with other areas of 'multi agency' working, sucess is really dependent on proper financial and management control. Its all very well to have a multi agency team, but if they only come together for a few hours each week and this team work is seen as an extra to their existing workload, then things may not change as fast as they really should. My own LA has a very good multi dis team but also a very long waiting list as they can only do this 'extra' work one day a week! In an ideal world one authority / organisation would directly employ and manage the lot of them for a truelly co-ordinated service but I realise thats probably only in my dreams...

 

Vicky