Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services, announced an investment of £1.7 million, over three years, to develop and improve services for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their carers and their families.

This new funding, released in response to recommendations made by the Adults with ASD Task and Finish Group, will move forward pioneering work to deliver consistent and innovative services so that adults with ASD can fulfil their potential in today’s society.

Hugh Morgan OBE, Autistic Spectrum Disorder Implementation Manager will work closely with stakeholders across Wales to drive forward the recommendations and bring about change to:

- develop and introduce during 2010-11 an all Wales network offering a diagnostic service for adults together with a pre and post counselling service;

- develop ASD specific Assessment Tools and awareness raising materials for those involved in the assessment process;

- provide additional regional monitoring and support for adults with Asperger Syndrome; host an all Wales Practice Conference on Adults with ASD, provide training for advocacy personnel working with adults with ASD; and provide a web information site for adults with ASD and their carers;

- spearhead a publicity campaign targeting employers and businesses throughout Wales including an All Wales Employment publicity campaign; appointing a Wales ASD Employment Ambassador; and awareness raising and training support for staff within Careers Wales, JobCentre Plus and for Disability Employment Advisors; and,

- identify existing building design research and collating into a toolkit to assist architects and others in designing housing for people with ASD.

Gwenda Thomas said: “I am delighted to announce this £1.7 million to fund a wide range of services for adults with ASD, their carers and their families. This money will make a real difference to the lives of all those affected by ASD by improving diagnosis provision and employment opportunities as well as widening the range of services available consistently across Wales.

“I feel we are doing something positive for adults, young people and children with ASD and we can be proud of the fact that we are delivering yet another ‘world first’ for Wales with this announcement.

“I wish to thank members of the Adults with ASD Task and Finish Group under chair Hugh Morgan OBE for their thorough work and I have agreed that the Group should continue to meet in 2010 to consider further areas for development.”

Notes

In April 2008 the ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales was launched – the first of its kind in the world. The Strategic Action Plan sets out how Wales plans to meet the needs of adults, young people and children with ASD, their families and carers.

A key action in the ASD Strategic Action Plan related to the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to identify specific issues affecting adults with ASD. This was established in October 2008, with a membership that comprised of representatives from local authorities, the NHS and the voluntary sector as well as Assembly Government officials and was chaired by the ASD Implementation Manager. The Task and Finish Group submitted its final report in October 2009.

The Adults with ASD Task and Finish Group report represent a new investment of nearly £1.7 million over the next three years. This resource is in addition to the £1.8 million funding made available to authorities in 2009-2010 year and the £1.7 million annually transferred recurrently into the local authority revenue settlement in 2007 to support children with ASD.

It is estimated that over 30,000 people are directly or indirectly affected by Autism in Wales.

Source
Welsh Assembly Government