Substance misuse and people with learning disabilities: making reasonable adjustments to services

This guidance (from NDTi and Public Health England) is to help professionals in drug and alcohol teams or learning disability teams support people with learning disabilities who have substance misuse problems. It summarises what the research tells us about the particular problems faced by this group of people and what approaches work best.

Access the guidance here:

https://www.ndti.org.uk/uploads/files/Substance_Misuse_RA_Report.pdf

Respond Training Event: Working therapeutically with people with learning disabilities- 14th July

Respond is expert in creative therapeutic interventions for people with learning disabilities. This course provides training in alternative ways of working therapeutically with people with learning disabilities who have been abused or experienced trauma. The course will cover: an introduction to disability psychotherapy; the different approaches to verbal and non-verbal communication and when this is the most appropriate method; the significance of attachment theory in disability, abuse and trauma and exploring creative ways of working using art, play, music, drama and movement.

Tickets here-

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/working-therapeutically-with-people-with-learning-disabilities-tickets-27704003420?aff=erelexpmlt

Know Your Normal: young people with autism experience of mental health

Together with UCL’s Centre for Research in Autism and Education and Ambitious about Autism Youth Patrons designed and undertook research about young people with autism to gain an insight into their experience of mental health.

With findings that show four out of five saying they had experienced mental health issues, but only 4% being extremely confident in knowing who to ask for help.

Read more findings in the report available here:

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/sites/default/files/Know%20your%20normal%20research%20report.pdf

Autism Self-assessment Exercise

As a result of the Autism Act, the first Adult Autism Strategy (Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives) was published in 2010. This was followed by a new and updated strategy – Think Autism in 2014. The purpose of the self-assessment was to enable local strategy groups to review their progress and support future planning with partners including people with autism and their families.

This was the fourth autism self-assessment framework. The baseline self-assessment was carried out in 2011, followed by updates in 2013 and 2014. These exercises allow local authorities and their partners to monitor their progress in implementing the Autism Strategy. Through greater transparency they also enable adults with autism, their families and carers, and autism representative groups to see what progress is being made. The self-assessment data offers an opportunity to compare local authority areas and develop benchmarks. It can assist in identifying areas where further action is needed and in planning improvements.

More information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autism-self-assessment-framework-exercise