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PROVISIONS THAT SOCIETY MUST MAKE FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM CONDITIONS

You may ask what kind of provisions and support should people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome receive? The following measures are what, in my opinion, they need, at least, as these I have listed are only basic ones.
1. If someone with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome moves out and has their own accommodation, or even lives at home with their parents or other family members, someone could be provided to give them a lift when they do their shopping or go to other local places.
Crowds and noise, such as those on public transport can agitate those with ASC's, who also don't like being placed on a packed out train for example, or being in queues or in crowded shopping centres. There will be other situations, which affect those with Autism and AS, but those are the most notable and striking, which I can think of.
2. Many people with ASC's have poor or inappropriate social interactional skills. First of all, they should be taught those skills if no one has done so already. A support worker could decipher to the person with AS or Autism what they are being told or could speak up for them if they are in place such as a supermarket or shop. A support worker could explain to those who are unaware of the conditions in such situations and what they entail. If a child or teenager with Autism or AS chooses to spend his/her time alone, Parents and Teachers need to understand and respect that. However, social skills are called for because we all live in a society where, like it or not, interaction goes off daily, hour by hour, minute by minute. We all have to deal with other people, at some point or another. The alternative is to become a total recluse or a Monk. All children with Autism and AS, no matter how old, need to be learned social skills - by parents. Many with AS might possess a good academic understanding of social skills, but not how to apply them in a practical sense.
Behaviour plans could be used which are clear, precise and are written down. They could be necessary for individuals with Autism and AS to address any inappropriate behaviours and replace them with appropriate ones. Autistic people need a systematic way of understanding how to behave appropriately.
3. A support worker could ensure that people with these conditions are not placed in accommodation that is near to, or in the same block of flats that consist of Heroin Addicts who, to find money for their next fix of drugs, will naturally look for easy targets to obtain money from. This includes vulnerable people such as those with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome. They would be easy pickings for the Heroin Addicts. Come to think of it, no-one with any disability or condition should be housed with Heroin Addicts, who should be all put together and be given help to get off it.
Suitable accommodation for people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome must be found. They need their own accommodation that suits them and their needs. They have problems and issues that need addressing and they must be addressed.
4. If people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome are placed in their own accommodation, a support worker could keep a check on them to see how their relations are with others.
5. People with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome should receive help and support with cooking, cleaning and washing. People with Asperger's Syndrome have problems with fine motor skills. Therefore their ability at ironing would be affected. Many with Autistic Spectrum Conditions forget to do these chores or even if they start them, they don't often have the concentration span to see them through.
Someone must also check up to see if they are eating properly and if they are keeping their accommodation is maintained to a liveable standard, along with keeping themselves clean and tidy. It is essential that occupational therapists be provided. If social services can provided them to the mentally ill, why not provide them to people with ASC's?
6. The Department of Health must produce statutory guidance on the social care needs of people with autism spectrum disorders. A named senior manager in each local authority should be responsible for commissioning and delivery of services to this group.
Only 12% of adults with ASC's have paid employment, while 24% do nothing or only help around the house. The Department for Work and Pensions should provide a national employment support scheme tailored for people with ASC's. There should be an explicit recognition that people with ASC are eligible for the range of disability benefits, and consideration given to how they can be supported into work without risk to their benefits.
There must be local agencies working together to provide a range of sheltered housing and supported accommodation in each local area, designed specifically for adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions.
Places like the job centre, NHS and benefits agency need training in Autistic Spectrum Conditions and not only ASCs but General Learning Disabilities, and other issues. People with AS should not be allowed to go to job centres alone, with their communication and interaction problems, unless it can be avoided and should be given help to deal with an adviser and the communication involving the singing on process. I also believe that applies for people with Autism, General Learning Disabilities and other illnesses and conditions. It is cruel and inhuman to expect them to go to such places alone.
I also, as a personal belief, think that the NHS should, when they know they are dealing with a claimant or a patient or an individual with General Learning Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Autism or AS, should write their letters in clear, precise language, that everyone understands, not large words that could confuse or vague language.
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