Introduction
Autistic children, young people and adults, their families and carers, and the practitioners who work with them have been a central part of this strategy and its development. They will continue to be closely involved in order to achieve the aims and actions set out within this strategy.
The Rotherham Autism Partnership Board plays a key role in developing this strategy.
Co-production has been at the heart of developing this strategy. This has entailed meetings / engagement events with representatives from a wide range of practitioners, autistic people, parents, families, carers and local businesses. This gathered information and ideas of key priorities for people with autism in Rotherham. This information then led to the development of the areas for focus as well as the actions for improvement.
From our work, it has become clear that to make Rotherham autism friendly, we would need to work across five key areas:
- Starting Well: All Rotherham’s autistic children and young people are healthy and safe from harm
- Developing Well: All Rotherham’s autistic children and young people start school ready to learn for life
- Moving on well to independence: Rotherham’s autistic children and young people are provided with the same opportunities to thrive going into adulthood.
- Living well: Autistic adults living in Rotherham will get the right support when needed
- Ageing well: Autistic adults living in Rotherham will be better supported as they grow old
A note on terminology
Autism is considered to be a disability under the Equality Act 2010. It is not an illness or a mental health problem.
The research found that all groups like the terms 'on the autism spectrum' and 'Asperger syndrome'. Autistic adults prefer the identity-first terms 'autistic' and 'Aspie', whereas families didn't like 'Aspie'. Practitioners also like the term 'autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or conditions (ASC)'. To reflect the findings of this research, the strategy will use the term 'autistic' – particularly when talking about children and to adults who identify themselves in this way.
Autism and Me - ‘Autism is like my superpower’
Our Neurodiverse population (which includes autistic people) bring many gifts and strengths to Rotherham.
Chat 'n' Chill' is a Rotherham-based youth group for autistic young people. They have just celebrated their 10th Anniversary and wanted Whistle Video to create this video for them to promote this amazing group.