Published on 12, July, 2020
This might be one for the Moderators to look into, but I wonder if others have insight on this.
I've had several conversations recently with professionals dealing with adults on the spectrum who've just spouted the triad of impairments, or who've said its all in the triad of impairments.
With all the literature on theories about autism and various interpretations, and approaches to treatment, I could quite understand professionals looking for the easiest synthesis to hand. But what is to hand? Is it just too easy to read up on the triad and related summaries? Or is there nothing else to hand for professionals to use.
The Triad of Impairments, as far as I can see, is of no more value than for diagnosing children. It has little relevance to the everyday lives and experiences of adults, and is hardly appropriate to helping professionals understand adult needs.
It doesn't explain a lot of issues facing adults.
But just what are the main texts used by professionals? And how useful are these texts for supporting adults?
With respect to autism, a local authority professional told us "the statutory guidance [as a result of the Autism Act] brought up the agenda of autism explicitly. The fact it's statutory guidance gives it relevance. for the organisation to pay attention. The guidance started the process of change for people with autism across the borough".
Yes but if they don't even accept that it's statutory how do you change that?
My local adults diagnostic centre manager said to my advocate on the phone regarding NHS NICE Guidelines "They're only guidelines we don't have to follow them". Those guidelines are backed up by this statutory guidance.
CAMHS claimed that my eldest child's ASC assessment followed NHS NICE Guidelines but they contravened loads of the guidelines both in how they did her assessment and how they formed their opinion on her diagnostic status! Needless to say they failed to diagnose her and I am now pushing for a 2nd opinion - which will cost the NHS more money!
They are failing to diagnose people that should be diagnosed and those people will then be prevented from getting services and support anyway!
They need to get the assessment and diagnosis right first!