ASP services for adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Catania
Renato Scifo, Grazia Distefano, Irene Gambadoro, Salvatore Cacciola, Giuseppe Distefano, Claudia Cardillo
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a well-known critical stage in the process of referral, support and social inclusion of people with autism. The Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP) (Provincial Health Authority) in Catania has entrusted the governance of applying specific regional guidelines to childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatry, in the Department of Mental Health. The model presented, built upon a network which values health sector and local non-profit sector resources, develops projects for adolescents and young adults in continuity with programmes embarked on in childhood. Particular attention is paid to projects which deal with training and work experience in rural contexts, where environmental context has a marked validity for people with autism, and where an integrated support service (social-health support), which over time will be more fully developed, respecting individual attitudes and needs, is built.
Keywords
High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social factors, Work grant, Tutor, PSN-Autism action.