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3 June 2004
A new national centre offering support and training in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) across Scotland will be launched this Friday, 4 June 2004, at the University of Strathclyde.
The National Centre for Autism Studies (NCAS) is a freestanding unit based at the University’s Faculty of Education, working collaboratively with the Scottish Society for Autism (a founding partner in the NCAS) and the National Autistic Society. The SSA, NAS and the Scottish Executive’s Health Department are all supporting the launch event.
Its aim is to build inclusive partnerships with any organization or individual concerned with understanding ASD and with offering services for people with ASD. Autistic Spectrum Disorder is so called because of the wide variation in the degree to which people can be affected by autism. Current scientific figures suggest that an average of 6 people in 1,000 are affected by ASD.
NCAS Lead Co-director Aline-Wendy Dunlop notes: “There is huge move toward including as many children with ASD as possible in mainstream schools and mainstream services. This is a direct and positive result of initiatives launched by the Scottish Parliament. However, there is now an equally important need for support, training, new research, and standards of good practice in order to ensure that inclusion is successful and that children, young people and adults with ASD achieve full and integrated lives.”
Broadly speaking, ASD is defined as a pattern of behaviours with three key characteristics — impairments in socialisation, atypical verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted patterns of interest and stereotyped actions. There can be huge variations in terms of severity and type of symptoms and the age when ASD begins to manifest itself.
The June 4th launch is comprehensive and is actually a two-day event — not only will the NCAS open its doors officially, but a National Diagnosis and Assessment Centre and a National Training Framework for Autistic Spectrum Disorders will also be formally presented. On the following day all those who have studied autism with University of Strathclyde will attend the annual course conference. The theme is ‘Quality Futures’ because, Aline-Wendy says, the NCAS is also concerned with “what happens after” — after someone with ASD is diagnosed, starts school or enters any mainstream institution when they, and the institution, will require specialised support.
Involved in the launch will be Professor Colwyn Trevarthen, one of two Visiting Professors to the NCAS who are acknowledged experts in the field of ASD; Professor Pat Howlin of St George’s Medical School; and Ros Blackburn, a noted and dynamic speaker on ASD who also has ASD.
The NCAS will offer a three-strand programme of assistance
1) training and education in ASD;
2) research into education, diagnostic, assessment and treatment methodologies; and
3) dissemination of best practice in the field of ASD.
Its programme is underpinned by established excellence in training and education through its postgraduate programme and relevant research to inform excellence in practice: key staff in NCAS are currently involved in autism-related research projects funded by the Scottish Executive in collaboration with the National Autistic Society and the Scottish Society for Autism and a local authority. Current research focuses on:
· training for professionals in autism;
· the provision of services to support behaviour and leisure for children and young people with ASD;
· the use of a joint-play intervention and assessment method for children and young people with ASD;
· developing social interaction and understanding in autism.
Deputy Minister for Health Tom McCabe said:
“The launch of the National Centre for Autism Studies is most welcome. I am sure developments in teaching, research and practice will bring additional benefits to people with ASD and their families. The University of Strathclyde has been at the forefront of teaching in this area for some years and I am pleased to see joint working between the university and those who provide services and support such as Scottish Society for Autism and the National Autistic Society.
“We remain committed to improving information, diagnosis, service provision, research and training in line with recommendations from the 2001 Needs Assessment Report. I will watch the progress of the Centre with interest, in particular its work on developing training and educational opportunities for those delivering services to those with ASD, their families and the agencies involved.”
Further information on the launch, the centre, the training framework, the social interaction package or any other aspect of ASD-related research and teaching can be found:
· at the NCAS website: http://www.strath.ac.uk/autism-ncas
· or by contacting Aline-Wendy Dunlop, tel , or
· or the University of Strathclyde Press Office, tel or
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