Understanding makes
a difference and we
understand better
when we listen.
Sue Hatton – Autism Advisor
Craegmoor - Priory Quality Team
Quality in Autism
• What does that look
like?
• How do we know?
• Learn to listen to
those who have
autism.
A brief survey revealed…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A calm atmosphere
An uncluttered environment
Visual support to aid communication
Good structure to a meaningful day
Real engagement between staff and
those they seek to support.
First steps for staff and
those they support.
Five steps towards
improving quality.
Step One.
• Internal staff conference
in south and north of the
country to get staff
listening to people with
ASC and their families.
• To begin to win hearts
and minds on the
importance of
understanding.
Step Two.
• Person centred autism
induction as a foundation
for staff starting their job
with individuals with
autism.
• Building blocks of staff
training to develop a
network of autism
champions across
Craegmoor Services.
Step Three
• Profiling how autism
impacts upon each
individual.
• So we can support
each individual in
relation to that impact.
Step Four
• An internal quality kite
mark to indicate an
autism friendly
service.
• That could be a step
towards National
Autistic Society
Accreditation.
Step five
• Developing self awareness and self knowledge
amongst individuals with ASC within Craegmoor
Services.
• To enable them to be involved in staff training.
Research to measure impact
and inform future planning.
• Led by the Autism
Research Centre at
Birmingham
University
Changes in lives…..
Simone understands better –
Jake’s life is better
Making the walk predictable
makes the walk enjoyable.
First Hair then Bus
Relationship is possible..
Manager from Evergreens
Now I understand why he asks
all those questions over and
over again and I don’t get
irritated any more, I just
answer them and all is calm
again.
Deputy Manager – The
Gables
Anna used to scream,
hit and bite people. The
difference is amazing.
Staff are happy to take
her out. Anna
understands herself
better, we understand
Anna and her autism
better….
“I like a glass of golden
wine when I go to the pub”
Next steps…..and more
learning
• Always there is more
to learn and work to
be done.
• At times staff can be
very tough to
convince.
• The need to work
alongside,
demonstrate, get
involved.
Learning in the workplace
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shadowing
Coaching
Supervision
Mentoring
Observation
Reflective practice
Above all else we
need to ensure we
keep listening to
people with ASC.