The Blue Badge scheme is designed to allow parking concessions for those with disabilities or health conditions, and it can help them access services, go shopping, socialize, or make travelling to and from work a little bit easier. The Department for Transport has changed the Blue Badge criteria so that people with a non-visible condition, including some people with autism, can apply for a Blue Badge.

• Citizens Adice – applying for a blue badge
• Disability Rights UK – Blue Badge Scheme 
• Government Application 
• NAS Driving Guidance 

Personal Independence Payments, commonly known as PIP, are usually available to those on the Autism Spectrum. The National Autistic Society have a number of resources describing what PIP is and how to apply for it.

Below are some resources which you may find useful.

• NAS – Types of Benefit
• NAS – Personal Independence Payments
• NAS – PIP Form Filling Tips
• NAS – Benefits

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Autism and Anaesthesia: A Simple Framework for Everyday Practice – Science Direct

Learning objectives
By reading the full article you should be able to:

• Explain the specific challenges faced by autistic patients presenting for anaesthesia.
• Recognise when patients of all ages may be autistic.
• Perform an autism-aware preoperative assessment.
• Optimise communication and provide reasonable adjustments for autistic patients.

Key points

• At least 1–2% of people are autistic. Most are adults without intellectual disability. Many are unrecognised.
• Autistic people are more likely to have co-occurring medical conditions; they experience well-described barriers to healthcare, adverse health outcomes and premature mortality.
• Illness or injury may present atypically and delayed presentation is common.
• Person-centred adaptations improve the experience of perioperative care.
• “Autistic SPACE” offers a framework for meeting the needs of autistic patients: Sensory needs, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication, Empathy.

This is a follow up to our recent “Buckland Review of Autism Employment” post. Below is an easy read version of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, which can be found by clicking on the image or link below

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e04acdcf7eb16adff57fb3/the-buckland-review-easy-read.pdf

The full report is also available online, which is linked below

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ddc8b0b8da630011c86288/the-buckland-review-on-autism-employment.pdf

A bold new government-backed review, led by Sir Robert Buckland MP, has set out a vision for workplace culture changes to support autistic people to start and stay in work.

• Review sets out 19 recommendations to support more autistic people to start, stay and succeed in work.
• Despite most autistic people wanting to work, just 3 in 10 are currently in employment due to stigma and lack of understanding of their needs.
• More neuro-inclusivity in the workplace can help fill vacancies and grow the economy by unlocking the potential of thousands more people.

We are aware we ask our guests to fill in a developmental history questionnaire as part of our assessment process.

We know form filling is daunting

We are also aware it can be a really emotional experience thinking about all the things we struggle with. We are also mindful that many of our guests have reading/writing/visual perceptual difficulties.

To this end we do offer a service where you can be enabled to complete the form, but obviously without making you feel like you have somehow failed or are in anyway incompetent. The service is provided by one of our clinicians who will put you at your ease.

Please use this service by requesting DHQ help through our enquiries email

Ambiguous interview questions and application forms are keeping autistic people out of work, a report has found.

While 53.6% of all disabled people are in work, only 30% of autistic people are, the latest official figures show.

One autistic person told BBC News having more tick-boxes in applications might help him to land an interview.

The government has urged employers to “get behind” all recommendations set out in Sir Robert Buckland’s report on autism in the workplace.

Please share this with anyone who you think may be interested.

A new study is looking for responses from people who are diagnosed autistic and people who suspect they are autistic (but not yet diagnosed). Participants feedback will help develop more appropriate mental health assessment tools for autistic adults.

There are 4 main sections, which will be signposted as you move through the survey covering:

1. Any diagnosis/es you may have, and your mental health
2. About you (e.g. your age, sex, education and employment background)
3. Your personality (likes and dislikes, coping in social situations)
4. Your mental health (anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviours)

If you are interested in participating, click the link below or image above.

This is our first Christmas at our new premises.

 

Here is our tree which is near all our clinic rooms.

 

Calvin and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, especially our guests, for trusting us. It is much appreciated.

You can read their original message on Facebook

What Works for Autistic Adults
Paperback – 7 Dec. 2023
by Luke Beardon (Author)
Published by Sheldon Press

Pre-order Price Guarantee.

‘This book has the power to change lives’

Imagine a world where an autistic person is included, engaged and cherished for how they are; a world which changes for autistic people, rather than changing the person.

What Works for Autistic Adults brings the conversation about inclusivity into the forefront and turns it on its head. Instead of modifying the autistic individual and making exceptions or special circumstances, Luke shows how the world can, should and must change to accommodate your needs or those of the autistic person you love, live or work with.

He identifies the aspects that impact on life most – partners, friends, work or college, and environment – and outlines the steps that can and should be taken by everyone involved to create an autism-friendly landscape and improve outcomes all round. Covering every setting, from social situations to office or other professional environments, and in all circumstances, Luke’s book shows how no-one should have to struggle to exist within the parameters of a world they don’t understand. What Works for Autistic Adults will give you the dialogue, tools and starting points to involve every loved one, family member or colleague as advocates for a world where you, or any other autistic adult, can truly flourish.

During yesterday’s PDSG, a company was mentioned which aids those wishing to get support through the DWP Access To Work programme. Their about page states:

In 2019, our director and founder Michelle set out to create a new business that would support and enable people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and barriers to work.

Having been a support worker herself, Michelle had seen the Access To Work programme in action, and saw the difference it could make to people’s lives.

With this in mind, This Is Me Agency was born – to empower clients to reach their full potential, help clients gain meaningful support and create a great network of clients and support workers in the process.