Autism NI is Northern Ireland’s main Autism charity. The organisation is evaluated by the Social Services Inspectorate (DHSS&PS) every 3 years and by DHSS&PS annually. The charity is further enhanced by its long history of evidence based (researched) practice which is undertaken for every project or service it delivers. Most of this research is undertaken by the University of Ulster.
Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults policies
Autism NI is committed to partnership. Many of its services are
designed, developed and delivered within that ethos.
Examples include:
Training
- Keyhole® Early Years/Visual Strategies is a partnership between Autism NI, Barnardos and Early Years Organisation.
- TEACCH 5 day is a partnership with Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina, USA.
- IABA (4 day & Longitudinal) - is a partnership with the Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis in California.
- Early Intervention - The Keyhole® Jigsaw Early Intervention Programme is a world class, intentionally recognised model of best practice. This programme was designed by key individuals across all sectors.
- A Helpline Service between Southern Health & Social Care Trust & Autism NI.
In partnership with Autism Initiatives, services within Western and Northern Health & Social Care Trusts have been initiated. Through the Orchardville Society and the NØW Project, there is improved access to supported employment opportunities for some individuals with ASD in sectors of Belfast.
Autism NI has 4 key areas of activity and these are reflected in more detail in named sectors of the website.
- Area 1 - Family Support
This is the core activity of the charity and is delivered through Helpline, Advice, Information and Regional Support Groups as well as through the Family Support Package delivered through ACT (Autism Consultancy & Training) - Area 2- Training
Autism NI organised the first ASD conferences in Northern Ireland in the late 1980's and early 1990's with Elizabeth Newson, Patricia Howlin and Phil Christie.
Autism NI hosted the first PECS training in Ireland with Andy Bondi and introduced ICON to ICAN and TEACCH to Northern Ireland. In partnership with parent advocates the charity sponsored information sessions and clinics on alternative and controversial therapies such as AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy), Secretin Therapy, and Movement Therapy. The charity initiated links with Higashi, Option Institute and representatives met with Ivar Lovaas (ABA - Pioneer).
Current training activity (within ACT) is based upon this history of wide and open access to innovative thinking and international research. The charity sees an inevitable link between Autism Awareness, Training and Provision of Specialist services.
ACT is an AQA/CCEA approved examination Centre delivering a growing catalogue of accredited ASD courses to a wide range of parents and professionals across Ireland.
ACT was established by DHSSPS and has just completed an external evaluation by the University of Ulster.
Autism NI and the University of Ulster received funding from DHSSPS in 2006/2007 to develop proposals for an ASD Training Strategy for Northern Ireland. - Area 3 - Lobby
Autism NI’s ongoing lobbying efforts are based upon a general campaign of Autism Awareness. The main activities in this campaign are focused on Autism Awareness Month and the United Nations Designated World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) (2nd April).
Autism NI provides access to media, press, lobbying training for key representatives from the Branch and Family Support Network to facilitate local press coverage of events and campaigns linked to Autism.
The focus of the lobby has been to improve understanding and promote the need for specialist services for Autism. In 2002, Autism NI began its political lobby armed with the shameful evidence of need in the Task Group an Autism Report the accelerating prevalence rates for ASD in Northern Ireland and the disproportionately low levels of funding for support services.
In 2006, as the tension between lack of resources and dramatically accelerating demand became acute Autism NI launched its campaign for a Strategic & Legislative answer. In 2008, the All Party Assembly Group in Autism (APAGA) was established (with Autism NI providing the Secretariat), following a fact finding visit to Washington by members of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership (CNAP). In 2009, APAGA began work on The Autism Act (NI).
Autism NI has built its Lobby on Researched evidence. - Area 4 - Fundraising
Autism NI receives minimal funding from the Statutory Sector - largely due to the lack of recognition of the need to fund Family Support Services despite the building evidence that this is a critical core service.
Autism NI has built its Lobby for improved services on researched evidence. This evidence is critical in securing the necessary funds to continue our work.
Please visit our "How You Can Help" Section for further information on what you can do to support our efforts.
