National recognition for Jersey’s Autism Services

Monday 24 February 2014

Jersey's autism support services have been recognised by the National Autistic Society for their excellent work supporting the Island's autistic adults and children.

Around 1,000 children and adults in Jersey are thought to be on the autistic spectrum and many families and carers rely on the Health department for its services. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with,and relates to, other people and how they make sense of the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over or under sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Today the staff at Eden House which offers respite and short break services for children, Aviemore – the adult residential facility - and Adult Day Services, based at Le Geyt, are all being recognised for the standard of work they do.

Robert Pritchett, Director of Accreditation from the National Autistic Society is in the Island today to present the award to them at a special ceremony at the Grand Hotel.

Team Manager and Lead for Autism and Learning Disability at the Health department Assumpta Finn said: “We’re delighted that all three areas of service have been awarded accreditation by the National Autistic Society. The aim of accreditation is to achieve a unified standard of excellence both in policy and practice. This award provides evidence that services have achieved excellence in the delivery of services both for children and adults.

"Our aim now is to continue to develop services of this standard and maintain the national recognition we have now in place.”