While primary school education is often the focus of services for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, perhaps the greatest challenge is finding care services for young adults once their public education years have ended. This has been particularly true in north Wales, where until very recently, adult services were severely lacking. The good news is that several new initiatives for adult Autism services have been introduced in 2010.
September 2010 saw the grand opening of the Wales Autism Research Centre at Cardiff University. While the Research Centre is not a direct care facility, its mission is to delve into the perplexing spectrum of autism from a scientific perspective. An incredibly interesting project that has already started is one that looks at how those who have autism respond to sound touch and vision in a linked fashion. Differences in sensory processing are issues that have long been recognised as a hallmark of the spectrum disorder and this new research uses high-tech neuro-imaging applications.
The Centre is currently in search of adults who have a diagnosis of autism to participate in this important sensory study. Autism organisations are encouraged by the opening of this new north Wales research facility. Actively recruiting adults for the project is a sign that the medical researchers and professionals are recognising what parents and caregivers have long known, that adults with all types of autistic diagnoses’ continue to learn throughout their lifetime.
Care for adults with autism in north Wales is often viewed as only adult day-centres or residential facilities for those with the most challenging issues. The fact is that those with spectrum disorders such Asperger's syndrome want, and are entitled to, what is considered “typical” higher education, as well as social and community living opportunities. Many who have Asperger’s have high IQs and crave continuing education but may not be successful in a typical college setting.
To answer this need, Priory Education Services has formed an innovative partnership with Coleg Gwent to provide specialist educational facilities for students with Asperger’s syndrome and tackle the long-term employment issues associated with the condition. A wing of the Pontypool Coleg Campus in Gwent has been renovated and is now called the Priory Coleg Wales. While all of the typical north Wales College IT labs and reading centres are there, this college also has a dining/kitchen facility to help those with Asperger’s continue to work on life skills. The research centre and college are both proof that care services for adults in Wales are improving daily.
www.aimcareandsupport.co.uk
www.aimcareandsupport.co.uk
