The South Lanarkshire Menu of Interventions Roadshow Event took place in Motherwell on 27 May 2014 at the Lanarkshire 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 counselling. The 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. One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • A link to children’s diagnosis, with guidance to overcome barriers such as an unaddressed diagnosis and delayed intervention of support
  • Access to a library, which contains a wealth of information and resources regarding autism
  • Signposting to local agencies for families
  • Advice and information pre diagnosis
  • A drop in service from point of diagnosis
  • Social work referrals
  • One to one family support
  • One to one support for individuals
  • A 2.5 hour basic autism training for parents and carers post diagnosis
  • A block of “understanding your diagnosis” workshops

South Lanarkshire Carers Network provides:

  • A host of resources and events, including carer meetings

South Lanarkshire Council provides:

  • Direct support, specific specialists in learning disability team trained in early years autism via social work
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. NHS Lanarkshire provides:

  • SALT (Speech & Language Therapy) across North and South Lanarkshire. Provides skill training to improve a child’s language skills, leading to improvement in their ability to interact with others socially

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • AAC workshops for parents and professionals
  • Family Planning Association - internet training for online safety and sexuality workshops
  • A 2.5 hour communication and challenging behaviour training for parents and carers and professionals

 
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. One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • A block of social skills workshops  for 8 – 12 year olds and one for 16 – 21 year olds
  • 1:1 support in conjunction with the FPA to focus on internet safety and etiquette
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 One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • A block of social skills workshops  for 8 – 12 year olds and one for 16 – 21 year olds
  • 1:1 support which can be tailored to suit the individual and can include sessions focussing on intimate relationships and sexuality in conjunction with the FPA

NHS Lanarkshire provides:

  • SpeakEasy – a training programme for parents and carers of autistic children and young adults, helping them talk to their child and young person about sexual health, keeping safe and relationships

REACH Lanarkshire Autism provides:

  • Autism support group for individuals (3 to 21 years old) in Lanarkshire. Formed close links with other organisations and groups throughout the Lanarkshire area
  • Social activity group allowing individuals to interact in various activities
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. One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Social opportunity for adults with AS once per week
  • Blocks of workshops such as art workshops for children and adults

South Lanarkshire Council provides:

  • Child Services – Action for Children, supporting the most vulnerable individuals. They offer access to specialist services supporting children and their families, providing links to many other specialist community services
6. Social Isolation for Family - Family/Partner/Carer support, opportunity for respite. Access to autism friendly environments.      Carers Trust provides:

  • A Carers Network/Carers Support available throughout South (and North) Lanarkshire. These services provide support and information services to unpaid carers through various meetings and training
  • Bi-lingual carer support via South (and North) Lanarkshire International Women’s Support Group

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Scheduled supported drop-in sessions for families
  • Social activities and social rooms with TV and games consoles
  • Online Facebook page
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. Scottish Autism provides:

  • In service training for children’s SVS
  • Education allocated to each school
  • Assessment for learning skills
  • Psychological educational profiles including PEP-A and PEOP-V
  • Play skills
  • T-TAP assessment for young adults with autism, particularly those with transitional needs. This allows educators, parents and carers to assist individuals with autism to prepare for a semi-independent lifestyle

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Training around understanding autism and profiling for parents and one for professionals
  • Profiling tool – daily living profile for individuals
8. Predicting and Managing  Change - Timely individual direct work with individuals to teach methods where required. Family/carer/employer guidance/education in these methods. Visual supports; timetables, timers, text alerts, choice boards etc to be used as appropriate. Education provides:

  • A key role in coordinated support plan assessment
  • Into work support, provided in the final year of school – preparation for work and interaction with employers. Opportunities are provided also through befriending programme.

ENABLE (North Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Access for individuals to key social and life activities throughout North Lanarkshire
  • Employment Services, supporting service users into a working environment that matches their current skills. It also allows individuals to gain support in areas that they wish to improve on such as computers skills

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Confidence building workshops for adults who are currently at college or out of work
  • Study skills workshops for individuals who are at college or are going to college in the near future
9. Behaviour and Emotional Regulation Protecting Wellbeing - Knowledge development in understanding behaviour in the context of ASD. 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.  Education provides:

  • Risk assessment for individuals, allowing educators/social work to consider chance of successful transition of individual.
  • Training for teachers and access in Autism Toolbox. This is a resource to support the inclusion of children with autism in mainstream schools throughout Scotland.

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Personalised 1:1 programmes to enable children and adults to identify and regulate their emotions
  • Strategies are provided for the person and their families
  • Training for parents and professionals around understanding autism and challenging behaviour

Social Work provides:

  • Assistance for individuals by community social work to ensure that they have a successful transition.
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.  
11. Motivation Issues - Structured programmes as appropriate to the individual linking to the other core challenges as required. Career guidance, employer/HE/FE support.  ENABLE (North Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Access for individuals to key social and life activities throughout North Lanarkshire
  • Employment services, supporting service users into a working environment that matches their current skills. It also allows individuals to gain support in areas that they wish to improve on such as computers skills

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Confidence building workshops for adults who are currently at college or out of work
  • Study skills workshops for individuals who are at college or are going to college in the near future
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. One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Sensory workshops
  • Information and advice around strategies
  • A 2.5 hour training session on sensory issues
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 learning. Education for families/employers/ care providers/housing department re practical needs. One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • Employability projects
  • Cookery workshops for individuals
  • Profiling of a person’s independent living skills and suggest strategies for that person
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 etc. These require assessment and treatment/management by appropriate specialist clinician. Joint working is crucial across specialities with a clear case co-ordinating lead identified.       NHS Lanarkshire provides:

  • CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provides a specialist service aimed at children from 0-16 years and their families, who experience significant behavioural and mental difficulties.
  • One-to-one service for individual.

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire) provides:

  • A partnership with learning disability team to provide services
  • A range of workshops facilitated by local specialists.  These have included dietary issues,  toileting issues, sleep issues and  stress awareness amongst others.
  • Mental health first aid training

 

 

 

 

CONTACT DETAILS FOR LANARKSHIRE RESOURCES

Carers Trust

46 Campbell Street

Hamilton

ML3 6AS

Telephone: 01698 428090

ENABLE (North Lanarkshire)

INSPIRE House

3 Renshaw Place

N Lanarkshire

ML1 4UF

Telephone: 01698 737 000

NHS Lanarkshire

  • CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) - visit www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/services/CAMHS or telephone 01698 426753 to find the office closest to you
  • SALT (Speech & Language Therapy) Advice Line Telephone: 01236 794102 on any Thursday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm

One Stop Shop (Lanarkshire)

141 North Orchard Street

Motherwell

ML1 3JL

Telephone: 01698 267023

REACH Lanarkshire Autism

Contact via web form

Scottish Autism

Hilton House, Alloa Business Park

Whins Road

Alloa

FK10 3SA

Telephone: 01259 720044

South Lanarkshire Carers Network

65 Bothwell Road

Hamilton

ML3 0DW

Telephone: 01698 285163

South Lanarkshire Council

Almada Street

Hamilton

South Lanarkshire

ML3 0AA

Telephone: 03031 231015