The Liverpool Asperger Team

April 2008

Chris Austin, Andrew Barlow & Stuart Clensy

Liverpool Asperger Team

Background• High profile people with complex

needs• Problem of mental health v learning

disabilities • Demands on clinical services• Public raising of the needs of people

with Asperger Syndrome in the city

History of the team• 1999 increased referrals• Cross agency meetings• 2001 steering group formalised • Research project• Consultation meetings• User and carer involvement• 2002 finalisation of structure• DISCO training • Funding • Manager • 2003 Recruitment

And also…

• Registrars doing elective placement (currently do not have one on placement).

• Trainee Psychologist (carrying out research)

What do we offer ?• Assessment and diagnosis • Person centred approach• Specialist knowledge , information and

advice• Awareness training • Clinical interventions – either from the

team or the Managed Care Pathway

Eligibility • Age 18 years of age

• 16-18 year olds , dependent on individual need

• Resident in Liverpool , or registered with a Liverpool GP

• A diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, according to Gillberg’s or ICD 10 classification

Managed Care Pathway

ASPERGER SY NDROME –SPECIFIC

MULTI DISCIPLINARY TEAM

CENTRAL POINT OF ACCESS FORASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS

CO-ORDINATING ROLE WITHINNETWORK

EDUCATION FURTHER & HIGHER

EDUCATION SPECIALIST PROVISION

SPECIALIST SERVICES CRIMINAL JUSTICE MENTAL HEALTH ALCOHOL &

SUBSTANCE MISUSE

SOCIAL SERVICES SUPPORTED HOUSING DAY CARE SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT INTO

MAINSTREAMEMPLOYMENT

ACCESS TO SPECIALISTPROVISION

VOLUNTARY / NONSTATUTORYAGENCIES

SERVICE USER /CARER GROUPS

Of 407 referrals so far ………….

• 245 have had full assessment• 108 have not been assessed• 54 are in progress

• 296 were male • 111 were female• 17 have children(As of Oct’ 2007)

The MDT Operation

• All professional team members are or will be DISCO assessors.• Nurse – behavioural approach • Social Worker – Care brokerage• Psychology – Psychological therapies (solution Focused Therapy,

for e.g.), multiple assessment and Psychometrics, lead for evidence based practice / ongoing research projects.

• Support Workers – hands on needs led support as assessed by the above and demonstration of care packages for brokerage.

• All work person centred and take on liaison with other agencies and most importantly with each other. Being in the same office makes this much easier.

Common Themes identified

• Supported Housing• Relationships• Work / Meaningful occupation • Identity• Advocacy and ‘interpretation’ • Non compliance due to ‘social phobia’ or

denial of needs or diagnosis (if from childhood).

• Carers needs and support. • Support with home management.

What’s worked well

• Service user involvement• Support for carers• “An Asperger Life” DVD• Flexibility of staff • Groups • Research• Planning and reflection• Full time members of the team• Psycho-social model

Gaps in service

• No specific Sheltered Housing scheme locally for people with AS.

• No coherent Community Care budget or access to it for people with AS.

• No specific centre based service for people with AS (controversial!).

• No RMO attached to Liverpool Asperger Team.

• No specialist employment advisers.

The future

• People living in safe sheltered housing• Employers recognising and accommodating

people with Asperger syndrome and recognising their own needs for support in the work place.

• A place to go and socialise which is safe, predictable, secure and undemanding.

• Easy access to support and Psychiatry if needed.

• Post Code lottery

Come to our conference,

“The Liverpool Asperger Team five years on”

21 -08-08 at Aintree Race Course

Liverpool