Providing Practical Support for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supported Living in the Community

One element at the heart of effective service provision is an understanding of the service user's needs. This book unravels some of the common misunderstandings between people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and providers of support services, and offers practical advice on how to ensure that the needs of people with ASD are catered for effectively.

Denise Edwards writes directly from her own experiences of finding appropriate support for her adopted son, John Paul, who has Asperger's syndrome, but also draws on the experiences of a broad range of service users. She emphasises the importance of understanding and conveying the nature of ASD so that support services can meet a person's needs effectively. She discusses common areas in which difficulties arise, including communication, social situations and the organisation of information, examines the implications of support in wider society - education, employment, the legal system - and makes practical suggestions for changes that can improve access to benefits and services for people with ASD.

Informative and down-to-earth, this book is essential reading for the providers of services for people with ASD for service users themselves as well as formal or informal carers, friends, family, related professionals and policy makers.

Denise Edwards is a qualified counsellor and teacher of students with special educational needs, both in mainstream and special schools. She is currently a tutor for degree students with disabilities and she has an adopted son, now 25 years old, who has Asperger's syndrome.

E. Veronica Bliss has over 20 years' experience working with individuals on the autistic spectrum, and has been working as a solution focused psychologist for the past six years.