Autism Care Pathway Adults Experience in Bromley Report

Key Findings:

We received 40 survey responses in total. This included 12 completed by people with Autism, and a further 28 by carers/family members.

Diagnosis

• The majority of people were diagnosed by NHS services (63%), at some stage in their childhood (before the age of 18).

• Around half of people (48%) were diagnosed within the first year of beginning the process, while a significant number (37%) waited longer – over four years in some cases.

Support

• Two thirds of people (64%) indicated they had not been assessed for care needs and the vast majority (77%) said they did not receive help.

• When asked about additional support, many regarded social opportunity as important as clinical health or care needs.

Communication and Involvement

• Communication was a leading issue – 59% of people (who did not receive support for care needs) did not know whom to contact to receive help.

• 69% of people indicated they were ‘not respected or listened to’ and expressed frustration that adjustments, such as language and tone, were overlooked.

Training and Awareness

• A range of the above themes could be attributed, in large part, to training and general awareness - within services, institutions and the wider community.

Recommendations

Based on the evidence outlined in this report, we offer some practical suggestions:

• To improve and increase awareness of the assessment and diagnostic service pathways and access to carer support services.

• To give better access and information on local support service provision.

• To provide a level of continuity of support services for young people with ASC when transitioning into adulthood.