The Solution

The Autism Trust Solution

Each Centre of Excellence will be open to people with autism as an outpatient resource.

We will provide Autism Trust ‘membership cards’ providing cardholders with an ASD diagnosis with access to The Autism Trust’s facilities: their ‘safe haven’ in which standards are known and respected.

Our Centre of Excellence model will be able house residents in individual private accommodation. The adjacent organic farm will have horticultural and agricultural activities and will encourage local community engagement.

Children and teenagers with autism will be able to visit The Autism Trust’s Centre of Excellence and spend time experiencing horticultural and farm life. We will also be working with local schools to enhance understanding and support diversity.

The Wellness Centre

Children will be able to visit the Wellness Centre with their parents where resident and visiting nutritionists, doctors and therapists will be practicing. We will have behavioural, educational and developmental experts to provide further support. The Wellness Centre within The Autism Trust will aim to help identify and support the health and functionality of people with autism.

Where appropriate, services offered through the Wellness Centre may range from addressing metabolic, to physiological, to immunological, to neurological and biomedical conditions; any of which may help improve the overall health and functioning of the individual when treated specifically by professionals.

Many individuals may also have major issues with physiological and sensory issues. An over reaction to normal levels of stimulation may lead to a range of behaviours which include panic attacks and high levels of anxiety. This in turn leads to task avoidance, uncharacteristic or self stimulatory behaviours. Levels of stress and anxiety can be managed and the Wellness Centre will cater for these issues with relaxation and physical therapies.

Because of its complexity autism challenges the intellect and researching skills of all clinicians investigating and treating the condition. The Wellness Centre will therefore have leading practitioners visiting or in residence. They will be working together to collectively address the needs and treatments of all residents and outpatients visiting the Centre.

The Conference & Training Centre

The adjacent Conference and Training Centre will run regular workshops, certified training courses, lectures, seminars and conferences to help educate and train individuals working with the autism population.

Additional services to be provided by the Training Centre will need to be seen in the context of education that fits national and local government criteria for ‘wellbeing’ such as expressive and creative arts; physical education; and personal, social and health education. Across all ages, expert nutritionists, therapists and medical practitioners will tailor personal programmes to meet the needs of residents and visitors.

Individuals with autism will also be given a vocational opportunity through the Business Centre, where applicable, to be a part of the ‘team’ and may complete a qualification in their relevant area of interest or profession.

Finally, we will hold regular workshops and certification for teachers, parents and carers and will have visiting experts to help people living and working with autism to manage and develop their skills.

The Business Centre

We want to enable people with autism to live and work in a safe and supported environment and contribute to society to the best of their ability. For many people with autism, exceptional capabilities mean that with focus, many vocations may be accessible and realistic. The Business Centre with the team of Personal Assistants will make this a reality for many more. We recognise that people with autism have potential in many vocational areas including business administration, design and technology, catering and retail. We will therefore also offer relevant work experience and qualification courses through the Business and Training Centres.

Businesses created by and run by people with autism will be incubated within the Business Centre as it will provide the infrastructure to enable the core business to be the focus of each entrepreneur.

Residents will be able to work in a variety of roles to suit their capabilities and developmental needs including the farm, offices, retail and catering. They will be helped to fulfil their potential and will continue to learn life skills in a safe and supported environment.

Young adults will visit with their schools as they approach school leaving age so that they can learn additional life skills and start to explore vocational options. We will give them support in business planning through to hands on experience of growing native produce and working the land.

A public accessible fruit and vegetable farm (‘pick your own’) will surround the central buildings and provide further work and development opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Our Financial Model

The capital development and business operating model will depend on the facility mix and local partners – as well as the engagement and support available from local and national government. A mix of charitable status and commercially self-standing models will be explored in each location.

Our Management & Staff

The management and staff within each centre will be recruited to represent the best in their field with relevant experience, an understanding of autism and desire to make a difference. They will be well directed and managed, properly trained, equipped, supported and importantly, paid the right rate for their respective roles.

In recognition of the importance of having aligned interests, we will be working in partnership with local and national government and major corporations to become the focal point for positive change in residential support linked to life-long learning in autism.