Draft Reading All-Age Autism Strategy 2022-2026
Overview
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects the way that a person interacts with and experiences the world around them and how people perceive, communicate and interact with others.
Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. Autism varies widely and is often referred to as a spectrum condition, because of the range of ways it can impact on people and the different level of support they may need across their lives. Some autistic people can live independent lives, but others may face additional challenges and require life-long care and support.
Reading is adopting a growth approach to autism because the number of autistic children and young people is growing and both children and their families tell us that their experiences in education, and with other public services, still need to be improved.
Over the past couple of months, autistic people in Reading, parent carers, professionals working with autistic children and adults, local partners and statutory services have contributed to the Reading All Age Autism Needs Assessment to inform Reading's All-Age Autism Strategy. The Needs Assessment outlines policies, best practice guidance and a comprehensive view of what the current situation is for autistic people in Reading from the diagnosis stage to adult life and the challenges that they report they have to overcome along the way.
Why your views matter
The Needs Assessment has identified several key priority areas which aim to improve outcomes for autistic people in Reading. In order to inform the Reading All-Age Autism Strategy, we are consulting to confirm that the priorities identified in the Needs Assessment reflect what we have been told by autistic people, their families, carers and professional supporting them and that they are the ones that the strategy should focus on over the next four years; or if there are any other areas that need to be considered.
Priority 1 Improving awareness, understanding and acceptance of autism
Priority 2 Improving support and access to early years, education and supporting positive transitions and preparing for adulthood
Priority 3 Supporting more autistic people into vocational training and employment
Priority 4 Better lives: tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people and building the right support in the community, and supporting people in inpatient care
Priority 5 Housing and Independent Living
Priority 6 Keeping safe and the Criminal Justice System
Priority 7 Improving support for families and carers
This consultation runs from week commencing 20 July 2022 to 18 September 2022.
Please see below the Draft Reading All Age Autism Strategy 2022-2026 or click here to download a copy
Please see below the Local Profile and Needs Analysis document or click here to download a copy
Please see below the Easy Read version of the Reading All Age Autism Strategy 2022-2026
If you have any queries, please contact us at wellbeing.service@reading.gov.uk or on 07811026070.
If you would prefer a hard copy version of this questionnaire or if you would like any additional support to complete it, please contact us at wellbeing.service@reading.gov.uk or on 07811026070.
What happens next
Your feedback from this consultation will help us refine and confirm the vision and priorities and in the findings will inform the final strategy that will be ratified by Councillors.
The final strategy will be published in the Winter 2022 and will be made available on the Reading Borough Council’s official website.
Events
-
Public Event in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre
From 9 Sep 2022 at 10:00 to 9 Sep 2022 at 12:00We would like to hear the views from residents, autistic people, their families and carers, on the seven key priority areas identified in the Draft Reading All Age Autism Strategy 2022-2026.
Friday 9th September 2022
10am-12pm
Council Chamber, Civic Centre
Reading RG1 2LU
(Option to join online also available)
To register your place, please call 07811026070 or email wellbeing.service@reading.gov.uk
Deadline for registration:
Wednesday 7th September 2022 -
Online Event via TEAMS
From 14 Sep 2022 at 18:00 to 14 Sep 2022 at 19:30We would like to hear the views from residents, autistic people, their families and carers, on the seven key priority areas identified in the Draft Reading All Age Autism Strategy 2022-2026.
Wednesday 14th September 2022
6:00pm-7:30pm
Online via TEAMS
To register your place, please call 07811026070 or email wellbeing.service@reading.gov.uk
Deadline for registration:
Wednesday 7th September 2022
Areas
- All Areas
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