Autistic people living in Somerset are benefiting from one of the few specialist Autism and Asperger Syndrome support teams in the country. Somerset Partnership and NHS Foundation Trust’s, Asperger Syndrome Consultancy Service, is made up of a team of specialists who offer help, advice and support to both clients and their carers.

The Trust’s team consists of two social workers, a community nurse, an occupational therapist and two part-time psychologists.

When necessary, the service contracts support from experienced autism-aware professionals in the county’s speech and language therapy services (for people with learning difficulties), and advocacy services.

Autism is a life-long developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other people. Conditions on the so-called ‘Asperger Spectrum’ can cover everything from someone with the most severe learning disabilities right up to people who are geniuses.

Because Aspergers Syndrome (AS) patients do not ‘look’ disabled parents often say that other people think their child is misbehaving; while adult sufferers may feel misunderstood.

The main symptoms of the condition are difficulties with social communication, social interaction and social imagination. People have trouble using both verbal and non-verbal language and take everything literally.

Someone with the condition can find it difficult to understand facial expressions, tone of voice, jokes and sarcasm and may not recognise other people’s emotions and feelings.

Additionally, they may not fully appreciate the concept of danger or the need to plan ahead. This can leave people feeling vulnerable if their daily routines change suddenly or they are placed in unfamiliar situations.

Pat O’Connell, a social worker and manager with the Somerset Partnership Trust’s Asperger Syndrome Consultancy Service, said: “We work with people aged 18 and up who have an IQ more than 70 and suffer from AS. The first stage is for a community mental health team first to assess the patient for eligibility.

“We receive referrals for diagnostic assessments or for professional advice according to the complexity of the problems that people are facing. We also support and train other professionals,” said Pat.

John Friend, aged 48, was only diagnosed with AS in January this year.

He said: “We are so blessed to have the team here in Somerset. For the last 8 months I have had treatment second to none.

“Now I know what is wrong with me I am able to take appropriate action.

“It explains so much about why I have struggled all through my life. At school I was told I was a lazy child, so I became a lazy child. I was dyslexic and I had to teach myself reading by recognising the ‘shape’ of words.

“I have never held down a job for more than three months. Just being in people’s presence ‘burns’ – people with AS crave companionship, not company.

“It is so important to catch a child by the age of 5 so we can teach them that having AS is actually a blessing and a gift which must be nurtured. If you don’t catch it early enough it becomes the biggest curse of self-doubt.”

Pat O’Connell added: “People with AS say they feel like an alien in society – as if they are walking around in a bubble.

“People often come to us in a situation where they might lose their home or job and can’t cope. Sometimes they haven’t got anywhere to live and are generally depressed and anxious.

“Some don’t want to be labelled because of the stigma. However, other people in society are getting along so well they don’t actually need any help from us at all.”

“Our aim is to provide the best possible outcome for anyone with the condition in Somerset by helping them to understand their circumstances and live a life that’s as enjoyable as possible.”

Sources
Pat O’Connell, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
(Asperger Syndrome Consultancy Service)
and
Judith Smith – Planning & Communication Manager
Somerset Partnership and NHS Foundation Trust
and
Paul Courtney
NHS Communications Manager
Somerset NHS Specialist Communications