Hampshire partnership yields groundbreaking approach to dealing with autism. (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Hampshire partnership yields groundbreaking approach to dealing with autism.

3:32pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Wesley Rock

A HAMPSHIRE collaboration has resulted in a groundbreaking approach to dealing with autism.

The Strategy for Adults is the result of a partnership between Hampshire County Council, NHS Hampshire, the voluntary sector, professionals, people with autism, parents and carers. The new approach aims to give people with the lifelong condition the opportunities to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Felicity Hindson, said: “I want to ensure we do everything we can to help people with autism live their lives as they wish as well as making a positive difference.”

The strategy aims to make improvements to accessing health services, suitable accommodation, work, education and training, better inclusion in community life and developing a clearer route to and from an autism diagnosis. It also focuses on supporting carers and families and increasing autism awareness among GPs. The strategy is the first part of a Hampshire lifespan autism strategy, with the second part for children planned for 2013. More than half a million people in the UK are estimated to have autism, with around 10,000 adults with autism living in Hampshire. Luke Syddall from Hampshire Autism Voice said: “First and foremost it was our intention to put people on the autism spectrum and their families at the forefront of the Strategy's developments. Our strategy clearly shows Hampshire's commitment and desire to improve the lives of adults on the autism spectrum and their families.”

The Hampshire Autism Strategy is part of the county council's commitment to meeting requirements of the Autism Act 2009 and the National Autism Strategy of 2010 and will be formally launched on November 5.