Autism conference in Leeds addresses issue of transition

The first in a series of AET events has taken place in Leeds and highlighted that now is a crucial time for improving services for children and young people on the autism spectrum.

Now is a crucial time for improving services for children and young people on the autism spectrum according to keynote speakers at the Autism Educations Trust’s National Conference ‘Transitions: practical steps for moving forward ’in Leeds, which took place on Thursday 22nd October.

More than ever before, autism is high on the national agenda, with Government funding ring-fenced under the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ initiative and the Autism Bill being passed by the House of Lords. This increased knowledge and understanding of autism is providing the catalyst for a cultural change in perception of disabled children and improving the services they need.

Focusing on the topic of transition, which is a particularly challenging issue for young people with autism, the conference brought together more than 250 people and provided a valuable platform and opportunity for people involved in autism education to come together and share experiences and good practice.

In the speech that opened the conference, Helen Wheatley, Programme Director of the National Transition Support Team said: “With the combination of political profile and money attached to this issue, people are engaged in improving services for young people with autism right now and there is a real commitment for change around this agenda. So question your local education, health and social services to make sure the allocated resources are being used wisely. We have a golden opportunity to establish sustainable networks and more joined up commissioning of services so that disabled children don’t fall off the agenda any more and remain a priority.”

L-R. Leeds conference speakers, Liz Blackman, MP, Chair of the APPGA, Bob Lowndes, AET Chair,  Helen Wheatley, Programme Director of the National Transitions Support Team.

Liz Blackman MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism said: “The APPGA identified transition as a key area to look at in order to improve the life chances of young people on the autism spectrum as they move into adulthood. It has made a number of recommendations to Government after holding an enquiry into these crucial stages in the lives of children.”

The conference was aimed at all those involved in the autism education sector, the schools workforce, local authority representatives, health professionals, adults and young people with autism and their parents and carers. In addition to the keynote presentations, delegates attended a range of workshop sessions looking at transitions and how to handle them at each stage of school life, including early years, primary to secondary and transition into adulthood.

Following on from the Leeds conference, a series of further roadshows will take place across the country in the coming months, as well as a national conference in London in January. These events will mirror the Leeds conference and in addition will address some of the more local issues in each area.

Please click here for further information on the upcoming AET events