The Edinburgh Menu of Interventions Roadshow Event took place in Edinburgh on 31st July 2014 at the Number 6 One Stop Shop. The information gathered from delegates on the day has been collated and can be found below.

For each of the 14 “challenges” we collected information about the following:

  • Specific relevant links
  • Specific relevant strategies
  • Specific relevant documents
  • Gaps, research and other relevant information not covered by another category
We are in the process of gathering relevant information to meet these 14 challenges. If you would like to contribute to the information collected below, please contact us by email.

Contact details for each of the resources mentioned are available at the bottom of this page.
ASD CHALLENGE

INTERVENTIONS

 
1. Understanding the implications of an autism diagnosis
Post diagnostic discussion (s) and individualised counsellingThe provision of good quality education and information packs for individuals, families/carers along with appropriate verbal discussion at time of need. Use of visual props if needed. Signposting to useful websites and forums.		 Autism Network Scotland provides:

  • Connects and communicates with those interested in the field of autism. We are a signpost for autism professionals and practitioners, people with autism, their families and carers toward examples of good practice, resources and useful information.

City of Edinburgh Council provides:

Mindroom provides:

  • Direct help and support for people with learning disabilities, high-profile conferences and collaborative multi-disciplinary diagnostic centres

NHS Lothian provides:

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • Service for adults (16 and over) with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) who live in the Lothians and the Borders. The service is provided by Autism Initiatives UK.

PASDA provides:

  • Pasda offers support to parents, partners, siblings and carers of adults (over 16) on the autism spectrum who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
  • Offers “Understanding Autism” workshop for carers/family
  • Library of ASD books

Tailor Ed provides:
2. Development of effective means of communication Individualised language therapy assessment. Updated as required. Alternative and augmentative communication systems introduced where required. Work to ensure language system (regardless of form) is used functionally and is therefore effective on an individual basis. Teaching/learning on internet etiquette and supervision. CALL Scotland provides:

  • “Emotion Talks” training programme: set of communication tools to support children to understand emotional experiences and find the language to help them express their emotions

Keycomm provides:

  • Exists to help people with communication impairments make use of technology to contribute to and control their environments.
  • Assessment and provision of alternative and augmentative communication aids and SPLAT toy library

NHS Lothian provides:

PASDA provides:

  • Pasda offers support to parents, partners, siblings and carers of adults (over 16) on the autism spectrum who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
  • Workshop communication for families of people with ASD

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Social stories and comic strip conversations workshops
  • Individual support through home-based interventions, consultations or workgroups
  • Sign-a-long training sessions

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides:
3. Social communication Targeted social communication programmes delivered either individually or in a group setting as required and appropriate to the individual to include internet etiquette and promotion of online safety. Autism Initiatives provides:

Peers programme provides:

  • PEERS is a manualized, social skills training intervention for adolescents and young adults. It has a strong evidence-base for use with teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, but is also appropriate for teens and young adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides:
4. Developing and maintaining relationships
Work to assess the understanding of relationships and promotion of skills to develop relationships including sexuality issues and intimate relationships. Access to social groups, friendship circles etc		 Autism Initiatives provides:

City of Edinburgh Council provides:

  • Learning support for pupils with disabilities - the Visiting Teaching & Support Service (VTSS) is a service for children with disabilities and their families. We work with children and young people who have or are waiting for a diagnosis of a disability.

Edinburgh and Lothian Aspergers Society (ELAS) provides:

  • An independent support group for adults aged 18 and over with diagnosed or suspected Asperger Syndrome or who are on the autistic spectrum. Though based in Edinburgh, people from outside the area are welcome to attend meetings.

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • Various informal social groups help in forming relationships, relationship group, sexual health workshops
5. Social isolation for individual with autism Accessible social groups and opportunities, support in the community. Befrienders. Respect the need to be alone at times. Acceptance by families that friendships can take many forms Autism Initiatives provides:

National Autistic Society provides:

Edinburgh and Lothian Aspergers Society (ELAS) provides:

  • An independent support group for adults aged 18 and over with diagnosed or suspected Asperger Syndrome or who are on the autistic spectrum.

Lothian Autistic Society provides:

  • Social skills clubs where children and young people are offered a supportive environment in which to develop self-confidence and social communication skills while having fun and making new friends

PASDA provides:

  • Pasda offers support to parents, partners, siblings and carers of adults (over 16) on the autism spectrum who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • One-to-one and group support

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Autism friendly soft play sessions within Edinburgh, yearly family day and new year party.

Places for People Scotland Care & Support provides:

  • Supported accommodation, visiting support and day services to people with autism across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
6. Social isolation for family
 Family/ Partner/ Carer support, opportunity for respite. Access to autism friendly environments		 Scottish Autism provides:

Carers of East Lothian provides:

  • Support for carers in East Lothian

Carers of West Lothian provides:

  • Support for carers in West Lothian

Carers Trust provides:

Euan’s Guide provides:

  • Website offering reviews of various venues for outings

Lothian Autistic Society provides:

  • A wide range of activities for families of children with ASD including summer camps and siblings group

Mindroom provides:

  • Parents group meets monthly
  • They have an “Essential rights guide” for parents

PASDA provides:

  • Help for families to access respite, runs monthly partners group, choir group, craft group, coffee mornings and houses a directory of services

Shared Care Scotland provides:

  • A national charity that works to improve the quality, choice and availability of short break (respite care) provision across Scotland, for the benefit of carers and the people they care for.

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Runs coffee mornings and social activities for families
  • A dads’ group for evenings out and mums’ evenings out.

Vocal provides:

  • Support for carers in Edinburgh and Lothian

West Lothian Asperger’s Association provides:

  • A voluntary association in West Lothian for families and their friends living with a child with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. They hold regular support group meetings.
7. Learning to learn skills
A functional assessment of the person’s cognitive abilities and learning style leading to a planned programme both directly with the individual and indirectly with the family, carers etc. Formal psychometric testing may be conducted if appropriate to inform intervention		 City of Edinburgh Council provides:

  • Support from an (educational) psychologist

NHS Lothian provides:

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Home-based interventions, consultations and workgroups targeting specific skills that help with learning

Teaching Talking provides:

  • A classroom-based assessment for screening children with a delay in their spoken language. It focuses on children in Early Years settings and primary schools whose linguistic development appears to be delayed, or who are experiencing difficulties with listening or speaking.

Places for People Scotland Care & Support provides:

  • Supported accommodation, visiting support and day services to people with autism across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
8. Predicting and managing change
Timely individual direct work with individuals to teach methods where required. Family/carer /employer guidance/education in these methodsVisual supports; timetables, timers, text alerts, choice boards etc to be used as appropriate		 NHS Lothian provides:

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Home-based interventions. consultations and workgroups.

TEACCH programme provides:

  • The University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program creates and cultivates the development of exemplary community-based services, training programs, and research to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and for their families across the lifespan.
9. Behaviour and emotional regulation protecting wellbeing Knowledge development in understanding behaviour in the context ofASD. Individual work with the individual on assessing behaviour, recognising triggers and developing and managing the implementation of strategies to help. Behaviour support plans, cognitive interventions, psychotherapy or counselling as required and indicated by life circumstances eg around transitions of all types including bereavement. Work with the individual’s family/carers, criminal justice, social work, Police as appropriate. Autism Alert card possession Autism Argyll provides:

  • “Bereavement Box,“ a collection of resources to help people with ASD at times of bereavement

Living Life to the Full provides:

  • A free self-help life skills training package. Self administered online course or run as a group at Number 6 One Stop Shop

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • One-to-one sessions on specific issues as required
  • Yoga group
  • Relaxation group
  • Anger management group

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Interventions for communication and dealing with problem behaviour

 
10. Restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours
Assessment and positive day to day management on an individualised basis. Treatment by mental health clinician if required		 NHS Lothian provides:

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • Service for adults (16 and over) with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) who live in the Lothians and the Borders. The service is provided by Autism Initiatives UK.
11. Motivation issues
Structured programmes as appropriate to the individual linking to the other core challenges as required. Career guidance, employer/HE/FE support.		 Autism Network Scotland provides:

  • An Employment Network for those with an interest in autism and employment. Find out about what projects and services currently exist, discuss what makes the difference for positive employment experiences and share ideas on the next steps to achieving more successful outcomes in the workplace.

Edinburgh and Lothian Aspergers Society (ELAS) provides:

  • An independent support group for adults aged 18 and over with diagnosed or suspected Asperger Syndrome or who are on the autistic spectrum.

Intowork provides:

  • Services to people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Acquired Brain Injury to help them reach their employment goals. This includes people with Asperger Syndrome and people recovering from strokes.

IWORK4ME provides:

  • Specialised support to people with significant disadvantages, who have difficulty in accessing mainstream self employment assistance. This is achieved through information and advice services, promoting the benefits of self-employment as well as providing support projects. In particular, the charity has a focus on autism spectrum conditions (ASC).

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • An employment specialist will work with individuals, employers, and education as required
12. Sensory issues Assessment of sensory difficulties. Identification and implementation of strategies. Environmental adaptation on an individual basis with individual control working towards reducing the impact of sensory sensitivities NHS Lothian provides:

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • Has a group looking at sensory issues

Sensory Integration Network provides:

  • The SI Network (UK & Ireland) is a not-for-profit organisation, promoting education, good practice and research into the theory and practice of Ayres’ Sensory Integration. We support those with sensory processing difficulties (also called sensory integration dysfunction or sensory processing disorder)

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Home-based interventions, consultations and workgroups.
13. Daily living skills Assessment of core life skills as required across the lifespan and to take account of changing needs at various transitions. Specific individual programmes to teach and maintain these skills where needed. Involvement of families/carers in assessment and implementation of new learningEducation for families/employers/ care providers/housing dept re practical needs Autism Initiatives provides:

City of Edinburgh Council provides:

  • Autism Champions programme to ensure better understanding of Autism among all staff potentially coming into contact with people with ASD

Number 6 One Stop Shop provides:

  • Has a group working on daily living skills

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Specific daily living skills programmes through home-based interventions, consultations and workgroup.

Places for People Scotland Care & Support provides:

  • Supported accommodation, visiting support and day services to people with autism across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

 
14. Co existing conditions- examples epilepsy, dyspraxia, dyslexia, disorders of attention, sensory impairment, anxiety, sleep disorder, addiction, anger management, depression, self harm, psychosis, personality disorder, OCD, disordered eating patterns etcThese require assessment and treatment/management by appropriate specialist clinician. Joint working is crucial across specialities with a clear case co-ordinating lead identified. Edinburgh Mental Health Information provides:

  • EdSpace, an online resource on mental health services

NHS Lothian provides:

Tailor Ed provides:

  • Works with children with sleep problems

 

CONTACT DETAILS FOR EDINBURGH RESOURCES

Autism Argyll
Autism Argyll
40 Union Street
Lochgilphead
Argyll
PA31 8JS
Telephone: 01546 600004

Autism Network Scotland
Level 6, Curran Building
The University of Strathclyde
141 St James Road
Glasgow
G4 0NS
Telephone: 0141 444 8146

CALL Scotland
University of Edinburgh
Moray House
Paterson’s Land
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AQ
Telephone: 0131 651 6235

Carers of East Lothian
Carers of East Lothian
94 High Street
Musselburgh
EH21 7EA
Telephone: 0131 665 0135

Carers of West Lothian
Sycamore House
Quarrywood Court
Livingston
EH54 6AX
Telephone: 01506 448000

Carers Trust
94 High Street
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 7EA
Telephone: 0131 665 0135

City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
Telephone: 0131 200 2000

Edinburgh and Lothian Aspergers Society (ELAS)
contact via email

Edinburgh Mental Health Information
contact via web form
Telephone: 0131 243 0106

Euan’s Guide
10 Constitution Street
Edinburgh
EH6 7BT
Telephone: 0131 510 5106

Healthtalk Online
(online resource)

Intowork
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh EH7 5QY
Telephone: 0131 475 2600

IWORK4ME
contact via web form
c/o Autism Initiatives UK
11 Granton Square
Edinburgh
EH5 1HX

Keycomm
1c Pennywell Road
Edinburgh
EH4 4PH
Telephone: 0131 311 7130

Living Life to the Full
contact via email

Lothian Autistic Society
Davidson House
57 Queen Charlotte Street
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 7EY
Telephone: 0131 661 3834

Mindroom
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5QY
Telephone: 0131 475 2330

National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London, EC1V 1NG
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7833 2299

NHS Lothian
Lothian NHS Board
Waverley Gate
2-4 Waterloo Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3EG
Telephone: 0131 536 9000

Number 6 One Stop Shop
24 Hill Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JZ
Telephone: 0131 220 1075

PASDA
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5QY
Telephone: 0131 475 2416

Peers programme
UCLA PEERS Clinic
300 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 1268
Los Angeles, CA 90095-6967
USA
Telephone: +1 310 267 3377

Scottish Autism
Lothian and Borders Area Services
17D North High Street
Musselburgh
EH21 6JA
Telephone: 0845 300 9274

Sensory Integration Network
SI Network (UK & Ireland) Ltd
27A High Street
Theale
RG7 5AH
Telephone: 0118 324 1588

Shared Care Scotland
Unit 2, Dunfermline Business Centre
Izatt Avenue
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 3BZ
Telephone: 01383 622462

Tailor Ed
11 Maritime Street
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6SB
Telephone: 0131 624 8970

TEACCH programme
100 Renee Lynne Court
Carrboro, NC 27510
USA
Telephone: +1 919 966 2174

Teaching Talking
9th Floor East
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
Telephone: 0845 602 1937

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
33 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London
SW1V 2WG
Telephone: 0870 000 3344

Vocal
8 - 13 Johnston Terrace
Edinburgh
EH1 2PW
Telephone: 0131 622 6666