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Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, has announced that new funding has been allocated to two AsIAm “Autism One Stop Shops’. These locations will operate as hubs to provide coordinated, effective, neuroaffirmative evidence-based destinations where Autistic adults, children and their families can receive information and direct support. This offering will expand the reach and range of group-based and advisory supports already delivered by AsIAm nationally.
Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm said:
“We are delighted to work with the HSE to provide this new support which we have long campaigned for and which was recently recommended in the Final Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism. Autistic people face invisible barriers across community life - from availing of public services to accessing social opportunities and securing employment. The One Stop Shop model is based on a proven record of success in Scotland and will enable Autistic people and families to access barrier-free advice and support in the community. These supports will be complementary to those which individuals and families require from CDNTs or Disability Services and will play a key role in building capacity, fostering connectivity and enabling participation, with the lived experience of Autistic people at the heart of both the design and delivery of the offering. Critically the one stop shops will enable families to access support across the life cycle and the range of policy areas - breaking down silos which cost families precious time, energy and support. We will operationalise this new support system in 2024 with a view to national expansion in the years ahead. In designing the offering provided we will be consulting closely with Autistic people and families in the CHO2 and CHO7 areas."
You can find more information here.
