Southend Borough Council awarded for Autism services
By Rachel Charman
Southend Borough Council has been rated in the top three English local authorities in improving the lives of people with Austism.
The National Autistic Society awarded Southend two green lights on its Local Authority Progress Table as part of its ‘I Exist’ campaign.
In an effort to build on this success, the Council is reviewing the services it provides for people with Autism with a view to improving services further.
The council already plans to create a register of people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome in order to better assess needs and tailor services to residents.
Cllr Mark Flewitt, who is responsible for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, said:
“Autism is a serious, lifelong condition. Without the right support it can have a profound, sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families.
“Most feel isolated and unable to access the required support and are often completely dependent on their families.
“I’m delighted Southend has been recognised for its good work but we’re not going to be complacent and are determined to provide even better services.”
A spokesman for the National Autistic Society said:
“It is fantastic to see the work that Southend is undertaking.
“The decision to upgrade the Council’s progress table ranking to green was made in light of the commitment it has shown to addressing the needs of those with autism.”
Hi this is great news, but what does this mean.
I have a 6yr old son whom I have educated at home and now attends a manisntream primary school in the borough.
This school has been a life line for my sons social and langauge development.
BUT HE AHS HAD NO SPEECH AND ;LANGAUGE THERAPY… NO OCCUTOATIONAL THERAPY VISA VIE HIS SENSORY PROBLEMS…. THERE ARE NO RESOURCES WHICH ADDRESS EARLY INTERVENTION.
The LEA is struggling to meet the needs of these children and special ed is not the place for many of these children as they need the stimultation of neuro-typically dveloping children by attending mainstream schools BUT WITH SUPPORT FROM TEACHIGN ASSISITANTS WHO UNDERSTAND AUTISM, BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT AND APPROACHES WHIHC HAVE BEEN PROVEWN TO EB EFFECTIVE.
SIGNED FRUSTRATED MUM