Autism sign language
An autism mum has created a Facebook blog about her stories and method, supporting her non-verbal son. Click icon to browse. See also: How it began Speech and language
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This page is about care and support for adults on the spectrum in the general Grantham area. For care & support for adults in the wider area see Specialist services.
Circles of support
The service will help you plan for the future. They can help you and your family to look at who is there to support you to achieve your plan. They can help you to plan how you would attend an activity for example or how you could have more opportunities to see your friends.
Adult social care
Here is an index of page about adult social care in Lincolnshire. You may be able to narrow down the search using fields along top and down left hand margin.
Life-long care
Here is a guide to securing life-long accommodations for adult children with special needs from a blogger in the USA. If offers general guidance.
Carer’s assessments
Carers FIRST provide a guide to carer assessments. First point of contact is the County Council’s Customer Service Centre: 01522 782224 carersservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Carers UK has produced a more detailed carer’s assessments guide for adult carers of adults (over 18 years) who are disabled, ill or elderly. They also offer a factsheet. It has a chapter about carers of adults. Click icon on the right to see it.
- A carer’s assessment is an opportunity to discuss with the local council what support or services you need.
- Are your needs the result of you providing necessary care?
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Does your caring role have an effect on you?
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Is there, or is there likely to be, a significant impact on your wellbeing?
- If you, or the person you are looking after, are assessed by the local council/trust as needing support, then you or they have a right to ask for a direct payment instead of having the support arranged by the local council/trust.
For information about Carers Allowance see: NHS Government.
Support for carers
For a broader range of services see Support for carers. The people there can help you directly or point you in the right direction as appropriate.
Residential care
- A new specialist residential care home for adults in Dorrington, near Sleaford, was built by a family firm set up in response to their own experiences. It is called The Reeds opened on 5th September 2016. See: news Home From Home.
- Autism Care provides residential settings for adults. They offer two types of service, supported living and outreach. Their nearest setting to Grantham is Heath Farm in the village of Scopwick, between Lincoln and Sleaford. It has several small units, which enables them to cater for a range of needs on the spectrum. See the Heath Farm brochure.
- The Shires runs two small residential settings for adults with autism and learning difficulties, called Milfield House in Colsterworth and Stowe Court in Stretton, further south along the A1 – see the Shires brochure.
Community support
Thera Group provide support at home, at work and in the community for adults with a learning disability. They charge for their services, though they also explain how a Personal Budget from the local authority might make Thera an option. Their nearest office is in Swingbridge Road, Grantham. For more information click on the icon below.
Community based support
Adults Supporting Adults (ASA) offer paid-for support, open to autistic clients:
- Day Time Provision – 1 to 1 support in the community with focus on maintaining and developing independence and social skills.
Look for Sit2Gether and Shop2Gether on website coloured side bar.
- Extended Stay – the client is carefully matched to live with a family and share their home and community life.
- Respite Resource – a short break with a carefully matched family.
See introduction and website for more information.
Benefits and community care
The National Autistic Society also provides:
- an introduction benefits: Benefits for adults with autism
- information on community care: Adult services including assessments for support.
Professional obligation
Ambitious about Autism, Mencap and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation in partnership with Irwin Mitchell, have produced a leaflet to help individuals who feel that they are not being appropriately consulted about the welfare of their loved ones. See also website.
Also, the NHS has produced an easy reading guide to making decisions about healthcare treatment.
Back pay
This is a thorny issue that has cropped up for people that need a sleep-in carer. Learning disability charity Mencap … is highlighting the case of a disabled man – named only as Lloyd. Click icon for article.
Special clothing
Adults with autism often have sensory issues. They may be fussy about the clothes they wear, for example. Hear is a list of some of the
suppliers of specialist clothing .
Some people with autism may engage in fecal smearing. Click on this forum to see whether mothers’ experience with children helps.
Hear is a list of some of the supplier sites of specialist body suits. Risperidone has been used to tackle the problem in extremis.
Toileting
Bladder and Bowel is a UK Disability Living support group for promoting continence and product awareness. Their helpline is 0161 607 8219, a Manchester number. Click also for email address.
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Please be aware that we, at GAIN, are not qualified to give advice. See disclaimer.