You may have got your anser, well today I got the proverbial slap in the
face with a wet fish, well it felt like that anyway when I was told that
never mind my GP having put my name forward for a particular health scheme
under valuing people, that he should not have done that.
All it takes is the magic word "Asperger's" and you are out.
What is more they seem to be ridiculosly nitpicking about fine differences
as they describe them of lerning disability and lerning difficulty, but
there measure for this is plain old fashioned IQ never mind communicative
and social competence.
You can be sure that myself, and Adrian will be keeping the pressure on the
NAS over this and other matters of government policy where we are at a
disadvantage
Larry
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Colin Revell
> Sent: 05 December 2005 15:23
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Enquiry re Valuing Diversity:Valuing People Team:- Impact of on
> ND's with low IQ
>
>
> Valuing People:- Impact of on people with neourdiversity!!!
>
> I have finally received a reply to all my complaints around the
> position of
> ND's and especailly those with ASD's and AS and individuals
> getting support
> from their local Valuing People Team.... See DoH reply to my complaints
> below from Veronica Fraser,
> Head of Knowledge Management, Public Enquiries and Complaints,
> Customer Service Centre
> Department of Health
> 79 Whitehall
> LONDON
> SW1A 2NS
> 0207 210 5028/5428
>
> I will be forwarding a copy to Adrian Whyatt and DANDA for them
> to respond
> and also Adrian will forward it on to NAS, DRC and other relevant
> individuals and organisations. We need to have collective
> responses within
> the neurodiversity, disability, inclusive and independent living
> and mental
> health survivors movements and you all have my permission to freely
> disseminate and share this email with others within your networks.
>
> Yours
>
> Colin
>
> 5 December 2005
> Our ref: CSCOM52445 ( CSCOM 43198)
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Dear Mr Revell
>
> Thank you for your recent contact expressing your concerns about
> the impact
> of Valuing People on people with neuro-diversity. I am sorry that it has
> taken me so long to gather the additional information as promised.
>
> Your original enquiry concerned the extent to which autistic spectrum
> disorders (including Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia,
> Tyrhetts' syndrome and other neuro-diverse impairments) are
> included within
> the classification of learning disabilities. I am now able to provide the
> following information.
>
> As you know Valuing People: a new strategy for learning
> disability for the
> 21st century was published in March 2001. This cross-government paper was
> the first White Paper for people with learning disabilities for
> 30 years.It
> is based on the four key principles of rights, independence, choice and
> inclusion.
>
> Valuing People says that the definition of Learning Disability
> covers adults
> with autism who also have learning disabilities, but not those
> with a higher
> level autistic spectrum disorder who may be of average or even
> above average
> intelligence. This includes some people with Aspergers Syndrome and the
> other impairments you have listed such as ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia,
> Tyrhett's syndrome and other neuro-diverse impairments.
>
> Guidance was sent out clarifying the policy for people with Asperger's,
> following publication of Valuing People in 2001 as LAC (2001) 23: Valuing
> People Implementation. This guidance states that 'Adults with Aspergers
> Syndrome or higher functioning autism are not precluded from
> using learning
> disability services'. We issued this guidance because at the time of
> publishing Valuing People (2001), the National Autistic Society was
> concerned that people who currently got support from such services might
> have that withdrawn as a result of Valuing People's publication.
>
> In relation to people with Aspergers Syndrome and other people
> with Autistic
> Spectrum Disorders who do not have a learning disability, it is the
> responsibility of local service commissioners and providers to ensure
> appropriate services are in place, and these may be from within learning
> disability services, hence the guidance not precluding people without
> learning disability from such services.
>
> Considering IQ alone is not sufficient to determine whether someone meets
> the definition of learning disability. An IQ slightly above 70, if
> associated with impaired social functioning may mean that services view
> someone as having a learning disability.
>
> However, an IQ substantially above 70, even if associated with impaired
> social functioning, would mean that someone would not be
> considered to have
> a learning disability. Valuing People covers adults with autism who also
> have learning disabilities. It is for local service providers to
> assess the
> individual's need, look at the balance between the determining
> factors and
> decide on the appropriate services to meet those needs.
>
> Your enquiry also concerned whether multiple complex needs would be
> addressed by the learning disabilities services or the mental health
> services.
>
> The Department of Health recognises that Asperger's syndrome is a
> developmental disorder on the autistic spectrum, sometimes called 'higher
> functioning autism', and that there is wide variation in the social
> adaptation of people with Asperger's syndrome in adolescence and
> adulthood.
>
> As a result, it is often difficult to identify the best way of supporting
> each individual. We recognise that those who need health or
> social services
> sometimes find themselves less than ideally served by learning
> disability or
> mental health services at a local level, and often fall between them.
>
> Valuing People: The Story So Far (2004) the National Director's report on
> progress says that whilst the Prime Minster's Strategy Unit
> report Improving
> Life Chances for Disabled People (2005) will help, it needs to be
> clearer on
> how Government policy for people with autism and Aspergers
> Syndrome is to be
> delivered. (my emphasis)
>
> Liam Byrne made a commitment to respond to Rob Greig's report through the
> forthcoming White Paper on Health and Social Care, 'Care closer to home'.
> The consultation process for this paper has actively involved 'hard to
> reach' groups such as people with ASD's. The consultation is
> complete and I
> anticipate that the White Paper will be published by the end of 2005. You
> may wish to look at this Paper before contacting the Department again.
>
> I hope that this reply answers the questions you first raised with Rob
> Grieg. Once again I apologise for not directing your enquiry to the right
> contacts to get you a reply sooner. I understand that following
> this answer
> you may still be dissatisfied with aspect of the Department of Health and
> therefore I am repeating the link to the Department of Health Complaints
> Procedure.
>
> http://www.dh.gov.uk/ContactUs/ComplaintProcedures/ComplaintArticl
e/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4065201&chk=XGrAPc
As with most complaint procedures, the first stage is to seek local
resolution. I understand that part of your complaint concerns the difficulty
you have experienced in contacting Professor Sheehan. If you have not
already done so, I suggest that you put this to him in writing or by email
via dhmail.gsi.gov.uk
This will be passed on to Professor Sheehan. If you are not satisfied after
you have received a reply from his office, I will progress your complaint.
If your complaint concerns me or any other member of Department of Health
staff, you should write (or email) directly or via dhmail stating your
complaint as clearly as possible. Please do not telephone Rob Grieg's or
Professor Sheehan's office.
I hope this reply is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Veronica Fraser
Head of Complaints
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