Autism and Complex Needs Special Interest Group
Autism and complex needs
Autistic people engaging with services will have needs that vary in complexity, depending upon the level of support in place and difficulties faced at any given time. However, it is becoming clear both nationally and internationally, that there is a small group of autistic children and adults, who present with particularly complex needs, relating to co-occurring mental or physical health conditions, additional learning needs and/or requiring significant levels of support or adaptation in daily life. For example, these may include, but are not limited to, eating disorders, gender dysphoria, extreme demand avoidance, selective mutism, epilepsy and genetic disorders.
Autism and Complex Needs Special Interest Group
In 2022, a group of multi-disciplinary professionals with a shared interest in supporting autistic people with complex needs came together informally to explore the potential for establishing an Autism and Complex Needs Special Interest Group (ACNSIG). Specifically, with the aim of improving standards of care and support and outcomes for autistic people with complex needs, and to do this by providing a mutually supportive and confidential space for professionals from a variety of disciplines, who work with autistic people of all ages with complex needs, to:
- Share professional practice and seek peer reflections.
- Share and discuss new and emerging developments in practice.
- Take forward actions, where a need is identified, to improve understanding and awareness amongst other professionals.
- Identify opportunities for the group to inform and influence UK policy and practice, including contributing to stakeholder consultations.
The development of this group is still in its infancy with further updates to be published on the www.autismcomplexneeds.org website in due course. In the meantime, it is the intention of this informal group to host online panel discussions on topics of interest related to autism and complex needs for professionals in practice. These events will be advertised on the www.autismcomplexneeds.org website and Eventbrite and will be free for any professional to access once registered.