Autism task and finish group report

Healthwatch Milton Keynes set up a Task and Finish Group made up of Health and Social Care professionals, Service providers, and family members and carers of people with lived experience of an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). They met several times to exchange information, ideas, and intelligence.

The report highlights what they learned via these conversations, such as the importance of understanding of ASC by professionals and the wider community as a neurological condition and not as a mental health condition or learning disability. Family members / carers reported to feel frustrated and shut out by what they see as unhelpful interpretation of data protection. It was felt that the lack of shared pertinent knowledge and decision-making is a barrier to timely and robust care / treatment. Healthwatch have also highlighted what was not covered as part of this exercise and scope for further research.

The Task and Finish Group have made six recommendations based on their findings.