1. Living with autism in Sunderland Joint Strategic Needs Assessment chapter, 2016 Andy Billett, Public Health Analyst

2. Autism needs assessment - process Engage with stakeholders (raise awareness, seek views) – Wed 15 th July 2015 Profile the population with autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs) in Sunderland Map services that support them Get views of stakeholders (people with ASCs, family, carers, service providers, commissioners) Identify gaps Make recommendations r

3. People with autism living in Sunderland Estimated 1.2% of population, 3,200 people 1,200 diagnosed at March 2015, people with autism 35+ unlikely to have a diagnosis,

4. People with autism living in Sunderland 700 children with autism as main special educational need In mainstream and specialist education provision Work underway to expand capacity at Columbia Grange primary school 113 adults with autism receiving packages of social care, of which 104 have a learning disability

5. Autism diagnosis Adult service established in 2010 2014/15, 60 referrals (45 M, 15 F), 55 diagnosed with autistic spectrum condition Children and young people (CYP) can be diagnosed by paediatricians or child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) teams Report on work to align CYP pathway with NICE guidelines in future JSNA Investigate barriers to accessing diagnosis among older people r r

6. Crisis prevention and wellbeing Need for a ‘step down’ service post-diagnosis identified by service users Provision not currently common in England, but are examples e.g. Bristol Autism Spectrum Service 2016 national report* recognises value of voluntary sector and user-led groups to help adults with autism build and maintain social networks …a range of preventative support…advocacy… * Department of Health (2016) “Progress Report on Think Autism: the updated strategy for adults with autism in England” p48

7. Transforming care Young people or adults with a learning disability and/or autism who also have a mental health condition or behave in ways often described as challenging About 10 people cared for in inpatient settings among Sunderland population. Aim to reduce this number over time, and improve quality of inpatient care Monitor progress locally towards achieving aims of Transforming Care programme r

8. Education Service users identified need for Better support during transitions More information about education, health and care planning process Better communication with parents Advocacy to support parents with autism communicating with school staff Parents, carers, education commissioners, teachers, SENCOs, health and care providers and commissioners meet for half day workshop to discuss key issues r

9. Employment Employment rate is very low among people with a learning disability (6% England average) No official measure of employment rate among people with autism, but also very low There are some local employment opportunities and supported internships Identify autism model employers Monitor employment rate among people with autism in receipt of packages of social care at annual review r r

10. Reasonable adjustments Extend alert flag system at City Hospitals Autism awareness training among hospital staff groups Discuss autism at primary care staff development session – addressed by service user with autism Ask that autism is included in national QOF scheme and recorded better in primary care Identify local providers of autism awareness training r r r r r

11. Community safety Continue to publicise the Safe Places scheme In custody suites health care nursing staff and specialist liaison and diversion nursing staff Health care nursing staff to undertake autism awareness training r r

12. Leisure services Reasonable adjustments to local leisure services include ‘Relaxed’ performances at a theatre and a cinema Creative learning programme part of local theatre Family zone and sensory room at Stadium of Light on match days Sunderland City Council Local Offer website (0-25 years)

13. Next steps Prioritise recommendations Decide who is responsible for each action Where appropriate, plan SAPB actions Monitor progress towards implementation (after one year?)