If we could design it ourselves, what would AS services look like?

I for one dont think the 'budget' for Autism services is properly thought out.

We do have to live in the real world, I know that.  But I don't know how much autism services actually cost.  I have my suspicions that considering the numbers involved, the actual budget to provide a proper service would be quite low.

We have to wait ages for an assessment and diagnosis.  Yes, these services are quite expensive, but the cost of a diagnosis privately in the upper range is somewhere around fifteen hundred pounds.  Assuming the oft-quoted figure of 350,000 people undiagnosed this would mean somewhere around five hundred million pounds to diagnose everyone.  A lot of money, but in the scheme of things not that great for the problems it would solve for those affected.  And that would be a one off cost, once everyone was diagnosed who needed to be the cost would be very low considering only just over one per cent are affected.  There would be very low waiting list, perhaps three months.  This would impact by ensuring that the problems of an autistic person are understood by government agencies rather than being thought of as 'awkward' especially those who suffer because of their lack of diagnosis.

And with diagnosis should come help.  Access to support, both at work and not.  Everyone who needs some support should be able to get it.  Support should be tailored, and after an initial consultation with support services a 'support plan' should be put in place, including employment services, housing, mental health, etc.  Support would be according to needs, but in meaningful consutation.  In the minimum it might be a 'named' person who was able to give advice and information, and be able to be seen by appointment (with a short wait) but would also be available by email/letter/telephone.  Further up the line, the support might be sessions of an hour every so often, perhaps every three months or six months.  And then there could be regular support for those that needed it.

There are already charities in place, so these could be expanded.  They suffer from being underfunded.  Once again, we are not talking a huge amount considering the benefit to the person involved.   And we mustn't forget by no means everyone would feel they need to access the service, but it should be available for all who do think they need such services.  And I am well aware of the problems that are faced by those with any disability.  However we have to fight our own corner regarding autism and let those with their own problems regarding other disabilities fight theirs, and not fight amongst ourselves.

Combined with this should be a compulsion for all employment services, government services, and employers to undergo diversity training to include a large slice of autism understanding and acceptance training.  Because until there is more understanding and less brushing under the carpet of problems autistic people face, nothing will change.

I for one dont think the 'budget' for Autism services is properly thought out.

We do have to live in the real world, I know that.  But I don't know how much autism services actually cost.  I have my suspicions that considering the numbers involved, the actual budget to provide a proper service would be quite low.

We have to wait ages for an assessment and diagnosis.  Yes, these services are quite expensive, but the cost of a diagnosis privately in the upper range is somewhere around fifteen hundred pounds.  Assuming the oft-quoted figure of 350,000 people undiagnosed this would mean somewhere around five hundred million pounds to diagnose everyone.  A lot of money, but in the scheme of things not that great for the problems it would solve for those affected.  And that would be a one off cost, once everyone was diagnosed who needed to be the cost would be very low considering only just over one per cent are affected.  There would be very low waiting list, perhaps three months.  This would impact by ensuring that the problems of an autistic person are understood by government agencies rather than being thought of as 'awkward' especially those who suffer because of their lack of diagnosis.

And with diagnosis should come help.  Access to support, both at work and not.  Everyone who needs some support should be able to get it.  Support should be tailored, and after an initial consultation with support services a 'support plan' should be put in place, including employment services, housing, mental health, etc.  Support would be according to needs, but in meaningful consutation.  In the minimum it might be a 'named' person who was able to give advice and information, and be able to be seen by appointment (with a short wait) but would also be available by email/letter/telephone.  Further up the line, the support might be sessions of an hour every so often, perhaps every three months or six months.  And then there could be regular support for those that needed it.

There are already charities in place, so these could be expanded.  They suffer from being underfunded.  Once again, we are not talking a huge amount considering the benefit to the person involved.   And we mustn't forget by no means everyone would feel they need to access the service, but it should be available for all who do think they need such services.  And I am well aware of the problems that are faced by those with any disability.  However we have to fight our own corner regarding autism and let those with their own problems regarding other disabilities fight theirs, and not fight amongst ourselves.

Combined with this should be a compulsion for all employment services, government services, and employers to undergo diversity training to include a large slice of autism understanding and acceptance training.  Because until there is more understanding and less brushing under the carpet of problems autistic people face, nothing will change.