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/ComplaintArticle/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
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Messenger 7.5 is now out. Download it for FREE here.
http://messenger.msn.co.uk
________________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.
|
