Adult Autism Services in Westminster Dr Andrew Greenhill Westminster Adult Autism Assessment and Diagnosis Service

Aims What services should be in place locally What we do in Westminster Challenges of working with people who are homeless and have autism Referral pathway for people who are homeless

What services should be in place Autism Act 2009 Local authority and health services should have a referral “pathway” for assessment. This could be a local service – or means to refer externally. There should also be an autism specific pathway for accessing Care Act Assessments Training and consultation

What we do in Westminster Assessment and Diagnosis clinic – for people +18, not learning disabled. Standard referral processes Follow on work – e.g. individual/ couples work Consultation and training Commissioned specialised voluntary sector Asperger’s Service

Challenges of working with people who are homeless and on the spectrum Difficulty with engagement Lack of trust and contact with services Entrenched behaviour patterns Need to move out of the clinic Lack of context to raise the issue Services not designed with their specific needs in mind – e.g. housing Lack of evidence about interventions

How we work with people with AS and who are homeless Light touch/ background work – emphasis more on consultation Consultation clinics specifically for homeless services – solution focused rather than diagnostic Using professional status to influence other organisations – e.g. DWP, and supporting letters Triggering research into prevalence and maintaining factors Provision of training

Summary A specific, local referral pathway for people who are homeless and possibly on the spectrum has been helpful Emphasis on consultation and training Less emphasis on diagnosis and more on outcomes and possible solutions