Agenda item

Stephen Mulligan, Principal Educational Psychologist, submitted a report on the work of the Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) Strategy Group.

The Strategy Group had defined its work into 4 broad areas of activity:-

-        Services and provision around ASC

-        Continued professional development

-        Diagnosis and assessment procedures

-        Involvement and parents/child’s voice and influence

The purpose of the work was to raise the attainment and improve lifelong experiences of children and young people with ASC.  In order to do so effectively, children and families must be listened to and ensure their voice had influence on policy.

Recent work had highlighted a number of issues:-

-        At the moment approximately 1:60 in the 0-19 age range had a diagnosis of ASC – well above the regional and national range (1,246 as at June, 2012)

-        Rotherham families had said:-

Need to support families and children at home more

Schools not always well enough informed about ASC

Need to develop trust and confidence at times of educational transition

-        Schools needed additional support to develop teaching skills and learning objectives

-        All strategic developments relating to services for ASC children and families should be in greater partnership

-        ASC Strategy Group had a clear remit and established terms of reference within the DfE response to the Green Paper

-        Police of Children’s Services and Adult Services relating to ASC should be closer aligned.

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues raised/highlighted:-

-        Demand Avoidance – Presently this was not recognised in Rotherham but was in other communities e.g. Nottingham.  There were some members of the local community who had been diagnosed with pathological Demand Avoidance (DA).  This was when a young person, when asked to do any particular instruction, had a very quick escalating response and said no.  It was very challenging behaviour.  An issue for ASC was communication so interventions were by a number of communication pathways.  In DA, intervention was by a more behavioural approach and understanding that was the challenge for parents and school leaders  

-        Person Centred Reviews – something that had been developing in Rotherham for the last 4 years very successfully - engaging with families and young people to ensure their outcomes were actually closely aligned to their needs.  It had started with the Specialist Schools – Hilltop, Kelford and Newman, and then into other schools with children with learning difficulties.  Training had been carried out with the Robert Ogden School to improve their services to the children of Rotherham

-        Young people understanding their condition was a huge step in helping them function in society

-        Parents said that schools were not always well informed about Special Educational Needs

-        There were a large number of young people who were being supported in school without a need for a Statement of Special Educational Needs but had learning programmes, teaching assistants, good staff, families etc.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That further work take place on:-

(a)  closer alignment with health in an attempt to achieve increased compatibility with CYPS/Health records;

(b)  work to review and monitor the Identification, Assessment and Intervention Plans relating to Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC);

(c)  revisit the eligibility criteria for the Children’s Disability Team and Adult Services.

(3)  That the Review Group consist of Councillors Beaumont, Dalton, Kaye, Roche and Wootton.