The Liverpool Asperger Team

1. The Liverpool Asperger Team Chris Austin, Andrew Barlow & Stuart Clensy Liverpool Asperger Team April 2008

3. PAST

4. Background • High profile people with complex needs • Problem of mental health v learning disabilities • Demands on clinical services • Public raising of the needs of people with Asperger Syndrome in the city

5. History of the team • 1999 increased referrals • Cross agency meetings • 2001 steering group formalised • Research project • Consultation meetings • User and carer involvement • 2002 finalisation of structure • DISCO training • Funding • Manager • 2003 Recruitment

6. PRESENT

8. And also… • Registrars doing elective placement (currently do not have one on placement). • Trainee Psychologist (carrying out research)

9. What do we offer ? • Assessment and diagnosis • Person centred approach • Specialist knowledge , information and advice • Awareness training • Clinical interventions – either from the team or the Managed Care Pathway

10. Eligibility • Age 18 years of age • 16-18 year olds , dependent on individual need • Resident in Liverpool , or registered with a Liverpool GP • A diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, according to Gillberg’s or ICD 10 classification

11. Managed Care Pathway

12. Of 407 referrals so far …………. • 245 have had full assessment • 108 have not been assessed • 54 are in progress • 296 were male • 111 were female • 17 have children (As of Oct’ 2007)

13. The MDT Operation • All professional team members are or will be DISCO assessors. • Nurse – behavioural approach • Social Worker – Care brokerage • Psychology – Psychological therapies (solution Focused Therapy, for e.g.), multiple assessment and Psychometrics, lead for evidence based practice / ongoing research projects. • Support Workers – hands on needs led support as assessed by the above and demonstration of care packages for brokerage. • All work person centred and take on liaison with other agencies and most importantly with each other. Being in the same office makes this much easier.

14. Common Themes identified • Supported Housing • Relationships • Work / Meaningful occupation • Identity • Advocacy and ‘interpretation’ • Non compliance due to ‘social phobia’ or denial of needs or diagnosis (if from childhood). • Carers needs and support. • Support with home management.

15. What’s worked well • Service user involvement • Support for carers • “An Asperger Life” DVD • Flexibility of staff • Groups • Research • Planning and reflection • Full time members of the team • Psycho-social model

16. FUTURE

17. Gaps in service • No specific Sheltered Housing scheme locally for people with AS. • No coherent Community Care budget or access to it for people with AS. • No specific centre based service for people with AS (controversial!). • No RMO attached to Liverpool Asperger Team. • No specialist employment advisers.

18. The future • People living in safe sheltered housing • Employers recognising and accommodating people with Asperger syndrome and recognising their own needs for support in the work place. • A place to go and socialise which is safe, predictable, secure and undemanding. • Easy access to support and Psychiatry if needed. • Post Code lottery

19. Come to our conference, “The Liverpool Asperger Team five years on”21 -08-08 at Aintree Race CourseLiverpool