Your Voice Counts: Sheffield Autistic Society

Healthwatch Sheffield attended three meetings organised by Sheffield Autistic Society to gather the views of 17 adults with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and their families and carers about local health and social care services. Participants shared both positive and negative experiences and highlighted a number of areas where services could better meet the needs of autistic people. One particularly positive example was the Sheffield Community and Special Care Dental Clinic in Heeley, which was praised for the quality of support it provided. 

A key theme was that many health and social care environments were difficult for autistic people to use because of sensory issues. Participants reported that waiting areas and clinical settings could be too noisy, too bright and overwhelming. Concerns were also raised about GP services, with participants suggesting that longer appointments and greater continuity with the same doctor would help people build trusting relationships and communicate more effectively. Mental health services were viewed as insufficiently accessible, and some people felt that referral routes such as the Single Point of Access system did not always meet their needs.

Participants reported long waits for support from the Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service and from social care services. There were calls for improved post-diagnostic support, including more individualised help rather than solely group-based provision. Attendees also expressed concern that some groups, including older autistic adults and people from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities, required more specialised support. There was strong support for reintroducing autism specialist social workers and providing more face-to-face support rather than leaving people on waiting lists without ongoing contact. 

Suggested improvements included increasing autism awareness training for GPs, producing autism-friendly appointment letters with clear layouts, symbols and explanations of what will happen during appointments, reducing sensory triggers such as bright lights and background music in waiting areas, and making information easier to understand by avoiding large blocks of text. Participants also wanted better information about healthcare entitlements and felt the findings should be considered by the Sheffield Health and Wellbeing Board to help improve services for autistic people across the city.