NHS Highland offers lockdown exercise assurance for people with autism as charity launches online social groups
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FAMILIES looking after young people with autism are being offered assurances over lockdown arrangements which may impact their lives.
After concerns raised by families with children with the condition, NHS Highland confirmed it would also be able to issue letters that permit extra time outdoors for people living with the condition.
Coronavirus lockdown requires that people only take one-hour of exercise outside the home, but special arrangements have been made for those with the life-long condition of autism.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.
After a concern over how people with autism could safely be outside without risk of being charged by police under coronavirus legislation, The Journal was told there are two ways to identify yourself to police.
The first is by wearingor carrying an Autism Alert card from the National Autistic Society or sunflower lanyard from charity Hidden Disabilities at https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com.
People can also print out a card that simply reads "Disability Awareness. The Holder of this card has a disability. We are travelling a short distance to exercise because our local area is not accessible. We are happy to answer questions. But please ask calmly and quietly, and avoid causing distress to the child."
One other way that people can prove a need to be out the house, and away from home, is by letter from a diagnosed person's GP or consultant.
NHS Highland has confirmed staff are in a position to issue these letters to people who already have a diagnosis.
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: "For the children/parents that need it, and are part of our service, letters can be and are provided."
Meanwhile the National Autistic Society Scotland is working to tackle the social isolation faced by autistic people across the country by launching a programme of online social groups.
The disruption of daily life and routine resulting from the pandemic and the lockdown has been very challenging for autistic people and their families many of whom are struggling with mental health and intense anxiety.
Research from the charity has also shown that two-thirds of autistic people in Scotland feel socially isolated and this was before social distancing was introduced in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Social distancing has meant the charity has had to cease face-to-face social groups and coffee clubs for 200 autistic people, a lifeline for many which allow for people to meet up, develop communication skills and confidence, make friends and live more independently.
The charity has launched its social groups programme online providing opportunities for autistic people to connect and chat about whatever they wish to, from film and TV, to cooking and other hobbies. They also provide a safe and supported space where people can share their thoughts and gain confidence from each other as well as hearing from staff who can share information on staying safe and healthy.
Nick Ward, Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland said: “Our social groups are a lifeline for autistic people across Scotland and we’ve worked hard to get these up and running online so we can play a role supporting people through this difficult time by giving them an online space to come together and socialise. This is an extremely challenging time for the charity but we want to expand the reach of our social groups programme to as many autistic people across Scotland so no one has to feel alone. We are busy applying for emergency funding to do this.”
Rory McGill (25), from Cumbernauld, has been attending one of National Autistic Society’s Social Groups for two years. He said: "In the past I’ve struggled to talk to people and found it difficult to make friends. Going to the NAS social group has really helped build my confidence and has meant I’ve made some good friends. We do interesting stuff like go-karting and laser quest which we obviously can’t do right now which is frustrating.
The pandemic has been quite emotional for me and it can make me quite anxious so I’m really looking forward to social groups starting up online so I can chat to others, I think it will really help."
For more information and to register interest: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/scotland/community-projects.aspx
Fact file
What is autism?
•Autism is a lifelong disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.
•There are approximately 58,000 autistic people in Scotland.
•All autistic people have difficulties with communication and social interaction.
•Autism is a spectrum condition. This means autistic people have their own strengths and varying and complex needs, from 24-hour care to simply needing clearer communication and a little longer to do things at work and school.
•Although everyone is different, people on the autism spectrum may:
◦Be under or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours, which can make everyday life extremely difficult
◦be unable to or find it harder to speak, need longer to process information or find it hard to hold conversations
◦experience intense anxiety around unexpected change and in social situations
◦become so overwhelmed that they experience debilitating physical and emotional ‘meltdowns’ or ‘shutdowns’.
•Without the right support or understanding, autistic people can miss out on an education, struggle to find work and become extremely isolated.
(Source NASS)
