Autism Alert Card Sarah McGregor NAS Scotland Area Development Officer

History Developments of Autism Alert Cards in other areas of Scotland, partnering with the police and other agencies in the past few years Highlands and Islands Glasgow Strathclyde South Lanarkshire Lothian and Borders

Partnership Links March 2012 NAS contact Grampian Police Meeting with John Ledingham, Community Engagement Officer Agreement to pursue the development of a similar card locally Project Development Identified appropriate partners Identified funding from G4S, who kindly funded the production of 400 cards and posters Managed the organisation of development and the launch

Partners NAS, Grampian Police, Autism Initiatives, Grampian Autistic Society, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, NHS G4S

Where can it be used? Includes a personal contact who can lead police and support organisations through the best ways to help the individual with autism in what can be a highly pressurised experience. When visiting the dentist, using the doctors, accessing A & E, Emergency services In a day to day context, to help ease communication and understanding challenges when someone with autism is shopping, at a social event, using leisure facilities or public transport.

The Launch Launched on Monday 12th November Police Headquarters in Aberdeen Speakers: Karen Williams National Director NAS: Robert Moffat on behalf of Partnership David Sylvester – Adult with AS Mark McDonald MSP Series of press interviews and photos with various journalists

Partnership Quote Dr Robert Moffat, National Director of NAS Scotland said: “Being a victim of a crime or accident can be a stressful experience for anyone. But for someone with autism it can be particularly disorientating and frightening. People with the condition often have difficulty understanding facial expressions, can be very literal in their understanding of questions, disorientated by complex speech and easily misinterpret others’ intentions. In an environment of serious crime or medical emergency these types of misunderstandings can have serious consequences. We welcome a partnership that addresses the unique challenges faced by people with autism in such a sensible, straightforward and effective way. The new Autism Alert card is a crucial step in ensuring Grampian Police and other organisations are autism aware, and helps people with autism to access the same rights most of us take for granted.”

Karen Williams, Director of Corporate Services, Grampian Police said: "We welcome the introduction of the new Autism Alert card which will allow our officers to quickly identify a card-holder’s condition, improve understanding of their needs and offer them the best possible support. “Supporting our communities and reducing risk, especially for those with the greatest needs, is at the heart of Grampian Police. I believe this card will provide additional support for people with autism to access information and support they require at a time when they most need it. “As well as supporting the launch of the Autism Alert card, Grampian Police will continue to support and encourage those who would benefit from using the card, to apply for, and use it each and every time they need our help or assistance.”

Press coverage - 1, 275,430 BBC Radio Scotland's Newsdrive, Reporting Scotland, 12/11/12 BBC Radio Scotland News STV's Daybreak programme (Broadcast twice on 12/11/12) WAVES Radio, Peterhead Press & Journal Inverurie Herald Aberdeen Citizen Ellon Times

Mark McDonald MSP said, “This is a welcome initiative which I am happy to support. I am confident that this will make a positive difference to the lives of people with autism, and I am happy to endorse it and hope to see it being used more widely.”

Awareness Raising Mark McDonald (SNP, North East Scotland) introduced a private members' debate on 12/12/12, which welcomed the launch of an initiative in the Grampian region, the autism alert card. Mark McDonald called upon the government to consider replicating the scheme on a national basis during the move toward a national police force Scottish Conservatives spokesperson for public health, Nanette Milne, called for further action to be taken on early diagnosis and therapeutic and educational interventions. In the absence of the minister for public health, the minister for commonwealth games and sport, Shona Robinson, expressed her support of the initiative Robinson highlighted that the government would consider taking the scheme further with the coming into being of the single police force

How to apply for the card Agreed with the police force, distribution had to be managed for security purposes Agreed this could be managed in the One Stop Shop developing locally with people applying for a card from Aberdeen City, Shire and Moray People applying will be sent a letter detailing information required prior to distribution e.g. supply a contact name/reference that will be added to the card by the OSS All applications go to Wendy Minty, One Stop Shop Manager at

Monitoring and Management The distribution of the card will be monitored We will ensure we are identifying numbers allocated per region and age ranges We will survey and evaluate effectiveness of having a card We will gather evidence We will continue to promote, market and raise awareness of the card

Appropriate Adults When someone is detained in custody and interviewed by the police they can request access to an Appropriate Adult: "Appropriate Adults facilitate communication between the police and adults (people aged 16 or over) who have a mental disorder. This is defined in the Mental Health Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003 as: ‘any mental illness, personality disorder, learning disability however caused or manifested’. In practice this includes people with acquired brain injury, autistic spectrum disorder or dementia."

Public Relations Award NAS Scotland has won Silver in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards for its Autism Alert card campaign. The CIPR PRide Awards is the only UK wide awards scheme that recognises excellence in public relations and communications work across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.