Autism training for healthcare workers becoming mandatory!

It is beyond sad that it has taken a tragedy for this to happen, but I for one am glad that Autism training will soon be mandatory for ALL Healthcare staff!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-50301184

https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2019-11-05-government-plans-to-improve-care.aspx

Parents Reply
  • Nice find Kitsune.

    I find that every workplace needs some form of training/recognition of Neuro diversity/.  Until invisible disabilities are as recognised as the other protected conditions in the Equality Act 2010 then there will only be lip service paid by Equality/Diversity champions and damagement.

Children
  • Yes, I think that giving people who work in HealthCare but also other services such as the Police some basic training so that at least they can identify the tell tail traits or behaviours of a person with ASD.

    but this is not all that is required.

    I think like many other areas of health. basic training is just that. and doing basic training does not make a person an expert. I have experienced quiet a few different types of people in various support services over the years. and in some cases basic training can be dangerous, in that some people with bad personality flaws see themselves as experts in the area with just basic training, and in such cases, means that they are subject to abuse or ignore or misdiagnose people who have more subtle ASD, as is often the case with high and very high functioning ASD.

    Out of interest, there is one guy in the UK called Dr. Quinton Deeley, who lives in London, who really is an expert neuroscientist / clinical psychiatrist who has chosen to specialise in neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. He is also involved with teaching people in the NHS and the Royal Academy of Psychiatrists. Teaching psychiatrists and other health professionals the facts about ASD and how to treat / support people with ASD.

    Another person who i have also had very good experience with is Dr. Ian Ensum of Bristol Autism Spectrum Services, who used to work for NAS. Dr. Ian Ensum is also a clinical psychologist who also specialism is in ASD.

    Otherwise, if you want things to change, contact your local MP's.

    As the more people contact MP's the better, as you never know. One of us may break through and get one of the MP's to actually do something more than simply talk out of their big bums.

    Cheers

  • I think in an ideal world, every workplace would have some understanding in neurodiversity. However, I think that it’s especially important that all healthcare professionals and workers participate in at least some basic mandatory Autism awareness training as they are the people most likely to be a point of contact with an autistic person in the health system and best places to recognise autism (of not yet diagnosed) or sign post to the most appropriate service for support.