There is no coordinated strategy that joins up government action for ASD, which is a key factor behind the rationale for Autism legislation. Autism NI has committed itself to a range of research and lobby campaigns that have resulted in isolated actions of innovation including:

Health & Social Care

• Autism NI Research with the University of Ulster and the ASD HSS Board Strategies (2002/2007) are catalogued in “Review of Strategies and Practice” and “Autism: The Costs”
• DHSSPS Action Plan for Autism (2007 - ) (including Maginnis Review and RASDN)  The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland (DHSSPSNI) has set up a Regional ASD Network.  The Network aims to bring together the 5 Trusts and other key statutory agencies into a single unified process that will plan and develop ASD Health and Social Services within Northern Ireland.  One interesting element of the Network is the mechanism it has set up to have parents, carers and individuals with ASD at the centre of its decision making.  You can glean more information about the Network from its action plan by clicking www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/asd_strategic_action_plan_-_easy_read_format.pdf.  Autism NI has also responded to consultation on the "Service Framework for Mental Health and Well Being" (2011).
• Mental Capacity Legislation Consultation (download pdf link at bottom of page for further information)

Education

Autism NI was a member of the DENI Task Group on Autism (2001/02) which reviewed ASD services across Education. The Task Group report led to the development of ASD Advisory Teams across NI.

• SEN Review & Consultation (2010): The Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) has issued a consultation document entitled "The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs & Inclusion" which in short proposes to make changes to the ways children with Special Educational Needs are supported within our schools.  Our response to this consultation which was assimilated from over 100 parent and carer feedbacks outlines our deep concerns about the impact the proposed changes will have on children with ASD. Whilst we recognise there are many difficulties with the current Special Educational Needs Framework we believe that the proposed changes will actually make matters worse and that parents will find it even more difficult to secure adequate educational provision for their children.  You can read that response by downloading pdf document at bottom of page.
• Middletown Centre for Autism and NI Audit Office Report, ref: page 110 – 114) 

          Autism NI has responded to the Early Years (0-6 years) Strategy (2011).

Employment and Learning

Autism NI have partnered Orchardville Society and the NOW Project in two pioneering supported employment projects through EU (Proteus) and Lottery funding.  DEL and BHSCT have been involved in both projects.  Autism NI have developed a specialised training package as one of the project outcomes.

Social Development

Autism NI have lobbied directly with the Department of Social Development regarding inequality of access to benefit entitlement (DLA and ESA) for individuals with ASD.  Measures to address these inequalities are included in the Autism Bill (NI).

Regional Development

Autism NI have responded to consultations on the "Rural Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework" and "Report into Transport Issues for Mental Health Service Users and People with a Learning Disability".