Person + environment = outcome – ‘It’s not Rocket Science’ Report
A new report commissioned by National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) documents the experiences of autistic children and young people who have accessed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) inpatient environments. Healthcare providers have a legal duty to adjust the environment to accommodate autistic people and this report highlights recommendations to improve the sensory environment.
Following feedback from young people the report not only looked the physical environment but also staff approaches.
The top ten recommendations are ‘not rocket science’:
- Create a predictable environment.
- Involve autistic people with relevant expertise in reviewing the sensory environment, in a meaningful way.
- Ensure all staff have training from autistic experts and allies that understand autism and sensory needs.
- Assess everyone’s sensory need on admission and consider how sensory need will be accommodated and supported in care plans.
- Personalise risk management and decision making.
- Swap alarms for ‘silent’ alarms.
- Reduce noise and echo.
- Change all fluorescent lighting for alternatives.
- Consider the impact of smells.
- Consider the impact of touch and texture.
This list seems quite straightforward however, as one young person who was interviewed said:
“Some autistic people’s needs will conflict with each other. For example, some autistic people may need the TV playing to calm down, as it can help to focus on specific sounds. But for others this may cause more stress depending on their mental state. Additionally, some autistic people may need to stim to feel relaxed and comfortable, or it may be involuntary when they are stressed, but noises they make (e.g. verbal stims), could really stress another autistic person out. I think the key here is space.” - Emily
The report makes for interesting reading for education professionals too as several of the recommendations can also be applied to education settings to the benefit of all students. It is pleasing to see real co-production being facilitated and acted upon to make a difference.
