Autism Association of WA 2020 Annual Report

Collaboration with Health Care

Autism Training in WA Health Sector This year we received funding to partner with the WA Health Sector to work alongside dentists and health professionals throughout Western Australia to develop training packages and resources to increase Autism awareness and skills within the health sector. The aim is to improve health care outcomes for individuals with Autism. This collaboration allowed us to develop training and resources for health professionals on strategies to reduce anxiety and increase engagement of the person with Autism in a health-care environment. As part of this initiative we delivered training sessions to approximately 580 health and dental professionals. In addition, we developed an online training program for the health and dental sectors. The online training program consists of 5 individual modules that include general Autism information; strategies for interacting and communicating with individuals with Autism; and specific strategies for inpatient and outpatient settings. Mental Health Project We also commenced a new initiative that will be launched next year to broaden the knowledge and management of mental health difficulties for adults with Autism, and to respond to the unmet needs of individuals with Autism to access these services. As part of this initiative, we are working with psychiatrists and mental health practitioners to create awareness about Autism by developing a range of resources and delivering training to assist them in responding to the needs of people with Autism who are presenting with complex difficulties. Over 15 clinical workshops were undertaken in the last 12 months, with over 400 psychiatrists and community mental health professionals attended the workshops covering: • Autism identification and clinical flags • Differential diagnosis • Psychiatric comorbidities • Suicide risk • Improving pathways to diagnosis and disability supports • Environmental support strategies

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