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Psychiatric services for people with autistic-spectrum disorders: A new report; May 16, 2006, 01:36, Reviewed by: Dr. Venkat Yelamanchili British Journal of Psychiatry:- http://www.rxpgnews.com/psychiatry/learning-disabilities/article_4287.shtml Psychiatric services for people with autistic-spectrum disorders: A new report Embargoed until 10 May 2006:- Press Release http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pressparliament/pressreleases-1/pr789autisticmay2006.aspx The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a new report entitled Psychiatric services for adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome and other autistic-spectrum disorders. It is a consensus view of a working party of experts convened by the College to address the complex issues facing professionals and patients with these disorders. The report is aimed at psychiatrists, stakeholders in the development of autistic-spectrum disorders services, and commissioners of adolescent and adult services, across all the psychiatric specialties. Autistic spectrum disorders are a complex group of developmental disorders, affecting a wide range of physiological systems and with a variety of symptoms. Possible signs of the disorders are: difficulties with personal relationships (social isolation) problems in communication absorbing or narrow interests begins in childhood and is lifelong. These disorders often require psychiatric involvement in their diagnosis, and need to be addressed by all the psychiatric specialties. However, psychiatric services are only one component of the wider provision needed by people with autistic-spectrum disorders. Treatment requires a flexible approach from a multidisciplinary, multi-agency range of services that is comprehensive enough to encompass the complex needs of people with the disorders. This wider service is the subject of a proposed strategy by the National Autistic Society, as well as of Health and Social Service planning in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The report describes the syndrome, other problems associated with it, and its epidemiology. Diagnosis is distinguished from broader, multidisciplinary assessment. The report addresses the problem of people with the disorders who are too old for adolescent services, and too able for learning disability services. Psychiatric provision needs to bridge this gap with a combination of training, better liaison between its specialties, and the development of specialist and tertiary services. As psychiatric services are overstretched, any improvement requires service commissioners to recognise the shortfall, encourage change and support further developments. The report includes sections on how autistic-spectrum disorders are diagnosed and who should be responsible. Psychiatric management and drug treatments are discussed, as are psychiatric services in the community, psychiatric treatment units and psychiatric specialties, and recommendations made. The report stresses the need for psychiatrists to work together with both the statutory and the independent sectors to ensure adequate psychiatric input into autistic-spectrum services. For those cases where diagnosis is less straightforward, or where clinical management is more complex, there also needs to be access to local specialist expertise and, where necessary, to tertiary specialist services. The report encourages research into the impact of autistic-spectrum disorders on adolescence and adulthood as it affects clinical psychiatry. Psychiatric services for adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome and other autistic-spectrum disorders (CR136) costs £10.00 and is available from from Book Sales, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG. Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext. 146; www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications. May 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For further information, please contact Deborah Hart or Thomas Kennedy in the External Affairs Department. Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 127 or 154 E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN Search Toolbar now includes Desktop search! http://join.msn.com/toolbar/overview ________________End of message______________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about the list administratione should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page.