The government has announced a raft of new tools to improve the health and wellbeing of adults with autism, to coincide with World Autism Day.
‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives: Evaluating Progress’ is a new online Department of Health (DH) self-assessment tool. The tool sets out what local authorities need to do to implement the Adult Autism Strategy and allows adults with autism, their families and carers to see what progress is being made in their local area and across the country.
Users will be able to monitor: – Whether there is increased access to services – If more adults with autism have received a personal budget – Whether there is increased satisfaction with local services – Whether adults with autism, their family and carers have greater involvement in service planning – If there is increased confidence in the accuracy of diagnostic services, and – Whether healthcare professionals are able to identify signs of autism.
Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “For too long adults with autism have not been getting appropriate care and support to help improve their health and wellbeing. “This is not acceptable and the government has been clear that we are committed to improving health outcomes for those with autism so that they can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. “These new tools will help local authorities to drive change and create locally led, personalised services for adults with autism. We hope to see changes starting to take shape across the country shortly and an improvement in services and patient experience.”
