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
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