How "Achieve together" Supports Adults Who Have Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that can affect how individuals interact with the world and communicate.

According to the National Autistic Society (NAS), approximately 700,000 children and adults in the UK have autism. 

Autism spectrum condition (ASD) affects each person differently, and Achieve together recognises that each autistic person has a unique way of seeing the world. By extension, Achieve together tailor the care, support and accommodation they offer so people receive the support they need to thrive, living happy, healthy and meaningful lives.

Achieve together Exhibits at the 2022 Autism Show

Achieve together has more than 25 years of experience in autism support. Last year, the organisation exhibited at the 2022 Autism Show to share valuable advice and insights on the condition.

The national event for autism took place at the London ExCel on June 17-18. On the latter day of the event, Achieve together’s Director of Wellbeing, Strategy, and Collaboration Michael Fullerton, and a parent of someone we support, Isabelle Garnett, took to the stage to present on Autistic Catatonia.

Autistic catatonia is a complex neuropsychological disorder that occurs in people who have autism. The disorder affects approximately 10% of autistic adults. The Achieve together talk raised awareness of the challenges that those with the disorder may face and how to support these individuals.

In addition to the talk on autistic catatonia, Achieve together’s team of experts offered advice and support to event-goers at the organisation’s stand.

The Autism Show takes place annually in association with the NAS. The two-day event offers hundreds of hours of talks, workshops, and clinics. Hundreds of specialist services and products are also available.

The event is for anyone who is:

• Facing daily challenges that relate to autism.

• Looking for information pre- or post-diagnosis.

• Approaching significant transition points in their life.

How Achieve together Supports People Who Have Autism

Achieve together supports individuals who have autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and related conditions, such as:

• Fragile X syndrome.

• Pathological demand avoidance.

• Dyspraxia.

• Sensory processing disorders.

The organisation also supports adults who have associated complex needs and mental health conditions. These conditions may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or anxiety disorders.

Individuals on the autism spectrum may exhibit abilities that link directly to their diagnosis. Some of these attributes are not always clear or observable. Understanding that characteristics of autism aren’t always visible is crucial to the support that Achieve together offers. 

Wherever possible, Achieve together’s experienced practitioners focus on the positive qualities associated with autism spectrum conditions. The organisation views autism as a “normal variation of the human experience.”

A Range of Specialist Services

Achieve together provides specialist support for more than 300 adults with autism in England and Wales. Service users live in a range of accommodation, such as Achieve together care homes and supported living homes. Others receive outreach support.

These are some of the ways Achieve together supports those who have autism, along with their families. 

Achieve together provides:

• A comprehensive evaluation and transition plan that informs the initial support plan. Experts in assessments, referrals, and placements conduct this evaluation. Achieve together’s service managers work with various multidisciplinary teams and family members to develop the overarching support plan.

• Specialist support and accommodation for adults with autism from the ages of 16-25 (transition age) and up.

• Guidance and advice on topics like funding and accommodation from Achieve together’s expert referrals hub (open seven days a week).

• Access to specialised resources and activities, sensory-friendly spaces, and inclusive experiences at home and in the community.

• Support from dedicated Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners. PBS practitioners can help individuals and their families manage potentially challenging behaviours.

• Modern communications systems and models that promote inclusive verbal and non-verbal interactions.

• Membership of the Achieve together families and/or professionals community. Membership includes monthly e-newsletters.

• Support for respite accommodation and emergency placements.

• Guidance on how to live independently with an autism diagnosis.

The organisation’s specialist autism services also include:

• Sensory profile assessments.

• Support for sensory processing differences.

• Therapy input from a dedicated clinical team.

• Anxiety and anger management plans.

• The Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), which encourages young people towards independence.

Comprehensive Care Approaches and Training

Holistic PBS and Total Communication approaches allow for increased engagement and inclusion across Achieve together’s services. The organisation’s clinical director and PBS team manager lead these approaches. The team manager ensures the support teams operate by PBS best practices.

All Achieve together teams receive internal specialist training on autism spectrum conditions from professional trainers. Where possible, a person with autism who the organisation supports also helps deliver training.

Achieve together’s commitment to professional development ensures its teams have access to forward-thinking, evidence- and research-based learning. This learning covers many aspects of autism, including sensory processing differences and how to support autism in women.

As a result, Achieve together’s teams provide adults who have autism with expert support. This support helps them manage their:

• Emotions.

• Social communication and interactions.

• Social anxieties.

On top of this, Achieve together helps people who have autism develop:

• Key life and social skills.

• Predictable routines and meaningful activities.

• Employment opportunities.

Person-Centred Support

Every Achieve together care home takes a person-centred, active support approach. Teams support residents’ choices and enable their access to activities beyond the home.

The care homes’ teams also encourage residents to contribute meaningfully to the daily running of the home. For example, residents may get involved in staff recruitment. This person-centred approach ensures each home provides personalised, safe, and fun environments for residents.

Such environments help Achieve together’s service users develop key social, communication, and life skills. These skills can allow individuals to gain more independence in areas like education and employment. Many Achieve together residents move on to supported living accommodation, where they can enjoy greater independence.

Meanwhile, Achieve together’s focus on inclusive communication and intensive interaction helps service users create and maintain friendships and family contact. Plus, individuals receive support with their relationships, sexuality, and sexual identity.

Achieve together empowers the people it supports and encourages their inclusion, autonomy, and independence. The organisation achieves this through a “do with, not for” approach.

Each Achieve together service user’s initial assessment centres on the individual. Service users co-produce their care and support plan with the organisation’s team members.

From the start of the process, the organisation establishes which information formats the individual prefers and finds most accessible. The person’s family, carers, and wider support circle also share thoughts to help make information format decisions.

Wheel of Engagement

Achieve together considers every aspect of person-centred planning through the Wheel of Engagement. The wheel uses the SPELL Principles: structure, positive approaches and expectations, empathy, low arousal, and links.

These principles ensure a structured approach to support that pays attention to the environments the person spends time in. SPELL also factors in the quality of the person’s rapport, engagement, and relationships with their supporting team and the other support or services they may need to access.

Reach Standards

Achieve together also works in line with the Reach standards. These standards ensure adults can choose:

• Where they live and who they live with.

• Who supports them and how they receive that support.

• Their friends and other relationships.

The Reach standards also empower adults to choose the support they need to:

• Make changes in their life.

• Access the community.

• Stay safe and healthy.

• Enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as other people.

Achieve together Care Homes for People Who Have Autism

Achieve together’s care homes provide 24/7 accommodation and personal care for adults who have autism. The care homes offer low-arousal environments, modern facilities, therapy input, and specialist support.

Exceptional Teams

Achieve together understands that selecting the right residential home is about more than finding somewhere to live. All of Achieve together’s care homes are as unique as the people the organisation supports. One constant remains across all homes: Achieve together’s exceptional teams.

Achieve together’s team members take great pride in their work. Team members are passionate about helping service users live independent, fulfilled lives. They achieve this mission through the person-centred plan that each individual builds with the organisation’s guidance.

Varied Activities

Each Achieve together care home offers a range of activities. These activities provide ample opportunities for residents and their families to engage with new experiences. The care homes’ teams also help residents access social, educational, and recreational opportunities in the local area.

Modern Facilities

Achieve together care home residents enjoy access to the latest technology and equipment. This ensures residents can live free from restrictions wherever possible.

Achieve together provides everything residents need to live according to their preferences and needs, including:

• Accessible bathrooms.

• Stimulating sensory rooms.

• Hydrotherapy options.

• Hoists.

• Ceiling tracking.

Where applicable, Achieve together care homes invest in tools that can help maintain and improve independence. These tools may include:

• Assistive technology.

• Communication aids.

• Specialised equipment.

Achieve together Care Homes for Young People

Achieve together also supports young people with autism who are transitioning to adult services with residential accommodation. The organisation’s referrals team suggests living options based on the individual’s needs. Where 24/7 residential care is not needed, supported living may be a more suitable option.

The referrals team first carries out an initial assessment of the young person to identify their ideal care home location. This assessment focuses on locality (proximity to family) and compatibility. Compatibility assesses whether the young person has similar needs and interests to other residents and is likely to get on with them.

Achieve together care homes provide support focused on each individual’s personal development. This means empowering young adult residents with the support they need to enhance their self-esteem and autonomy.

Like others their age, young people with autism who live at Achieve together care homes enjoy a range of experiences that help them pursue independence and their individual goals.

Learn more about autism support at Achieve together care homes.

About Achieve together

Achieve together is a leading support provider in the UK. The organisation caters to adults with diverse needs. These needs may stem from conditions like autism, learning disabilities, profound and multiple learning disabilities, deafness, and hearing loss.

With a network of approximately 400 care homes and services in England and Wales, Achieve together delivers high-quality support to more than 2,300 individuals. In addition to supported living accommodation and residential homes, Achieve together offers outreach at home and day services.

Achieve together’s vision is to empower service users to experience joyful, healthy, and purposeful lives. The organisation helps individuals cultivate healthy relationships and essential life skills to gain greater independence.

Environmental sustainability and social value are high priorities for Achieve together. The organisation follows strict environmental, social, and corporate governance commitments. To further reduce its environmental impact, Achieve together has selected eight Sustainable Development Goals.