How a passport can help people with Autism needing healthcare

People across the High Peak and Derbyshire who are living with Autism Spectrum Condition can be supported by an officially recognised Autism Passport. 

It was recently launched by Derbyshire's Autism Information and Advice Service to support individuals when entering hospital or seeking healthcare treatment. 

The passport is a collaborative effort by the service, Citizens Advice Mid Mercia, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Autism Services, Derbyshire NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Simon Bignell from the University of Derby.

It can be downloaded from the service’s website at: https://www.autisminformationservice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DERBYSHIRE-AUTISM-PASSPORT.pdf

Individuals living with Autism Spectrum Condition can download the passport, complete it, and take it with them when they go into hospital or attend healthcare appointments.

The passport will then be kept with their hospital notes so that it can be consulted by hospital staff before any medical interventions are performed.

It will help to ensure that the sensory, physical, and communication needs of patients living with Autism are met.

The passport can be used by anyone in Derbyshire, adults and children, and is a free downloadable resource.

Once the Covid-19 outbreak is over, the service say it intends to gather public feedback on the passport so that they can assess its usefulness and effectiveness and any potential future development.

The Autism Information and Advice Service is a free and confidential signposting service for individuals aged 16 and over living in Derbyshire.

Funded by the county council, it is based within Citizens Advice Mid Mercia and is a hub for all things Autism related in Derbyshire.