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Welcome!
Welcome to the first edition of 'Network News' - the newsletter of the Scottish Autism Service Network!
Amongst other goals, the Scottish Autism Service Network (SASN) has the aim to provide regular updates and information regarding ASD and related topics to people across Scotland with an interest in ASD. The newsletter will endeavour to contain Scottish focused information about local groups and services, relevant training courses and conferences, events, research, news and examples of good practice.
Network News will be disseminated regularly with the purpose of involving those receiving the newsletter in directing its content. This means that we hope to gain reviews, submissions, articles, details of research, information about forthcoming events and activities, and examples of good practice from those who are involved with the SASN and who read the newsletter.
We are delighted that this first issue contains articles and information from many different sources and would like to thank those people concerned for their input. If you have ideas for future articles or topics, please do not hesitate to let us know by contacting us via the details on the back page.
You can also access the newsletter on our website at www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk or phone us for more paper copies to be sent to you on 0141 950 3072. If you know someone who would like to subscribe to Network News or become a member of SASN, please see contact details for the Network on the back page.
I hope you enjoy the first issue of Network News!
Dawn Larman, SASN Manager
Call for ASD Specific Co-ordinators
Are you an ASD specific co-ordinator that has been employed via a specific local authority, education department and/or health board? Do you know someone who is? The Network are keen to make contact with all ASD co-ordinators across Scotland to find out more about their work and local developments, and to assist them with networking with other ASD co-ordinators across Scotland.
ASD Multi-Professional / Multi-Agency Groups
Are you involved in an ASD multi-agency group, steering group or working party in your area? Do you know of any such groups in your area? The Network is keen to develop contacts with any existing groups to find out more about the work they are doing and with the long term plan of supporting them to link in and share good practice with other such groups across Scotland.
If you are interested or involved in one of these areas or know of a person/group who fits these categories, please contact the Network
here or on telephone 0141 950 3072
Scottish Autism Network Audit
Many thanks to those of you who recently completed our audit questionnaires. We are currently compiling the information which should be available by our next edition of Network News in August 2006 when we will provide an overview and details of where to access the full results.
We are still keen to gain more views from people with ASD and their family members and therefore if you have not filled in a copy of the questionnaire we would be grateful if you would do so by visiting www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk and filling in an online version or phoning us on 0141 050 3072 for a copy to be sent to you.
People with ASD, family and friends needed to take part in Forums
Do you want to be able to help shape multi-professional working, good practice and access to information about local resources for ASD across Scotland? If so, please join us at our Forum event!
The Scottish Autism Service Network are holding two 'forums' on Thursday 22nd June at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
We invite you to give your views on how the Network should be developed and what you would like included in the Network. You will also have an opportunity to pass on information about services and resources in your area.
One forum will be for people with ASD and the other for family/friends of people with ASD. The forums will be held on the same day, but the two groups will meet separately. To allow for as many people as possible to attend the forums we are holding each one twice - once during the day, at 11am until 1pm, and once in the evening at 6pm until 8pm. Public Transport costs will be paid.
For further information and to register a place visit our website at www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk and fill in the registration form.
Alternatively, you can e-mail scottishautismnetwork@strath.ac.uk or phone 0141 950 3072 for more details.
What is the Scottish Autism Service Network?
The Scottish Autism Service Network (SASN) began in October 2005 with 2 year funding from the Scottish Executive with a remit to develop a hub for direction to provision for people affected by ASD and their families and for sharing good practice, information and resources with local professionals, groups and services across Scotland. The SASN is not a direct service provider and will not be replicating services that others provide, but will incorporate a combination of the following:
- Passing on information on existing good practice and resources
- Establishing and supporting a range of ASD collaborations
- Providing a structure for sharing advice and receiving support
- Sourcing existing materials, training, information and publications
- Dissemination of impartial ASD related information
- Communicating news about research, publications, and grants
- Holding conferences and disseminating regular newsletters
- Routing queries to local professionals, organisations, and services
- Facilitating local autism networks and supporting those that exist
The SASN's overall aims are to provide ASD related Scottish focused information and to develop a locally linked national autism network of interlinked professionals providing mutual support, examples of good practice and useful relevant information.
If you require any further information or wish to discuss the work of SASN further, please email scottishautismnetwork@strath.ac.uk,
telephone 0141 950 3071 or visit http://www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk