Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network (RASDN)

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A few years ago in Northern Ireland, where I live, a network was set up to implement the Northern Irish government's Strategic Action Plan for improving autism services in the region. So far they have published the Six Steps of Autism for children and also they have recently published the Adult Care Pathway. The second document was the task of the previous RASDN reference group. As for the new reference group, which I am part of and was formed earlier on this year, first of all we have the Adult Care Pathway out to consultation and then we will have the Autism Strategy. The RASDN is comprised of both autistic people and neurotypies, (thanks for the support of that term) and its overall aim is to improve service for autistic adults and chilren living in Northern Ireland. The autistic people are service users and the others range from people high up within health trusts to charities, obviously including NAS. The aim is to include staff from as wide a range of services as possible, i.e not just health trusts and charities but other types of service as well.

http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/asdnetwork/index.html

Unfortunately the website is returning a proxy error tonight but it will be back.

My own personal reaction to this network, well of course it's:

My thoughts on being part of the reference group:

I think this might be an example of what engaged and positive government can do.

Now, as part of democratic discussions, I hope they would consider changing the name.

As one activity to benefit adults, I'd love to have small delegates of two or three persons on the spectrum visit human resource departments.

And politely challenge them, hey, you folks might really be missing some opportunities by not being more open to hiring people on the spectrum.

And why are things single path instead of multi-path? And why do people have to just be one way?

Yep the Northern Irish government is united when it comes to health matters, at least I think it is. Like the USA, Northen Irish people care a lot about health matters. Hopefully, for those here living with autism and the various other health comditions that unfortunately exist, life will just get better and better.

I've never worked AardvarkGoodSwimmer, so I don't understand your second post and therefore can't comment.