I have been to another in a succession of meetings at local level on the implementation of the Care Act. It is tiring to see how easily key aspects, such as those sought for autism, get lost in the wider complexities of implementing the new ideas.
I'm still encountering this idea that you only provide a service for people with autism if they have a learning disability or a mental health condition. It is taking ages to get this one across, as the budgetary argument - we need to put emphasis on those with learning disability - persists.
Transition is going to start from 16 and be more or less completed by 18 - well I've had to explain again that teenage years can be extremely adverse in their impact with autistic spectrum, and people may change a lot between 18 and 21 or 25.
People still don't understand that people coping well now could regress later.
The point about prompting does seem to be being taken up, partly because it is recognised as an issue with other conditions, including whether doing certain things people are able to do may put them at risk in another respect.
But the social interconnectivity one is harder. It is all very well NAS saying it is in the citeria. I heard a whole spiel today about getting people with autism to integrate better with the community - as usual as if it is a problem that can easily be rectified.
I'll reflect on some of my notes and paperwork and maybe add to this thread later, but please, those of you who have the opportunity to go to meetings about the Care Act in your area, please use the opportunity and go to see what is happening.
And NAS really needs to watch the implementation process carefully. Don't assume just because there is provision in the criteria that it is going to materialise.