Survey on Services and Support for Autistic Adults in South Cumbria

Welcome to Our Survey

Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback will help Autus Cumbria to plan and review our projects for autistic adults (16+)

The survey has ten questions and will take about ten minutes to complete.

Your answers will be anonymous but you can share your email to be added to our mailing list and entered into our prize draw for a £20 Amazon Gift Card.

Please submit your answers to us as soon as possible. Surveys received before 18th December can be entered into the prize draw.

Thank you for your help.

Question Title

* 1. Looking at the list below which activities would you or the autistic person you support/work with like to engage with?

Going to the pub

Going out for a meal

Cinema trips

Theatre trips

Walking / hiking

Arts and Crafts

Gaming

Watching sports

Playing sports

Drop in sessions e.g. autism cafe

Gardening

Wildlife / Nature

You can use this space to give more detail for any of the above answers, for example which specific sports, crafts or games you enjoy or give us other suggestions

Question Title

* 2. How likely are you to use any of these services?

	Extremely Likely	Very Likely	Likely	Not Likely	Not at all
Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults	Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults Extremely Likely	Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults Very Likely	Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults Likely	Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults Not Likely	Group Activities - A session with other autistic adults Not at all
Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals	Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals Extremely Likely	Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals Very Likely	Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals Likely	Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals Not Likely	Wellbeing Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your personal goals Not at all
Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships	Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships Extremely Likely	Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships Very Likely	Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships Likely	Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships Not Likely	Befriending Volunteer - A volunteer who spends time with you regularly either in person or on the phone to help with the development of friendships Not at all
Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor	Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor Extremely Likely	Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor Very Likely	Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor Likely	Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor Not Likely	Professional Support - A trained autism practitioner or counsellor Not at all
Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person	Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person Extremely Likely	Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person Very Likely	Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person Likely	Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person Not Likely	Peer Mentoring - An autistic person supporting another autistic person Not at all
Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals	Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals Extremely Likely	Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals Very Likely	Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals Likely	Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals Not Likely	Employment Coaching - A professional who can support you to reach your employment goals Not at all
Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation	Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation Extremely Likely	Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation Very Likely	Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation Likely	Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation Not Likely	Mentoring - A colleague who advises you in a work situation Not at all

Do you have any other ideas for services you would find useful?

Question Title

* 3. Looking at the list below please rate the activities that you feel you or the autistic adult you support / work with might need the most support with.

	Need a lot of support	Need some support	Need very little support	I'm OK with this
Understanding autism / your diagnosis	Understanding autism / your diagnosis Need a lot of support	Understanding autism / your diagnosis Need some support	Understanding autism / your diagnosis Need very little support	Understanding autism / your diagnosis I'm OK with this
Confidence building	Confidence building Need a lot of support	Confidence building Need some support	Confidence building Need very little support	Confidence building I'm OK with this
Accessing social activities	Accessing social activities Need a lot of support	Accessing social activities Need some support	Accessing social activities Need very little support	Accessing social activities I'm OK with this
Money / Budgeting skills	Money / Budgeting skills Need a lot of support	Money / Budgeting skills Need some support	Money / Budgeting skills Need very little support	Money / Budgeting skills I'm OK with this
Cooking / Food skills	Cooking / Food skills Need a lot of support	Cooking / Food skills Need some support	Cooking / Food skills Need very little support	Cooking / Food skills I'm OK with this
Personal care / Personal hygiene	Personal care / Personal hygiene Need a lot of support	Personal care / Personal hygiene Need some support	Personal care / Personal hygiene Need very little support	Personal care / Personal hygiene I'm OK with this
Managing a home / Cleaning	Managing a home / Cleaning Need a lot of support	Managing a home / Cleaning Need some support	Managing a home / Cleaning Need very little support	Managing a home / Cleaning I'm OK with this
Organisation skills / Time management	Organisation skills / Time management Need a lot of support	Organisation skills / Time management Need some support	Organisation skills / Time management Need very little support	Organisation skills / Time management I'm OK with this
Social skills support	Social skills support Need a lot of support	Social skills support Need some support	Social skills support Need very little support	Social skills support I'm OK with this
Friendship / Relationship support	Friendship / Relationship support Need a lot of support	Friendship / Relationship support Need some support	Friendship / Relationship support Need very little support	Friendship / Relationship support I'm OK with this
Looking for and applying for jobs	Looking for and applying for jobs Need a lot of support	Looking for and applying for jobs Need some support	Looking for and applying for jobs Need very little support	Looking for and applying for jobs I'm OK with this
Looking for and applying for volunteer positions	Looking for and applying for volunteer positions Need a lot of support	Looking for and applying for volunteer positions Need some support	Looking for and applying for volunteer positions Need very little support	Looking for and applying for volunteer positions I'm OK with this
Preparing for an interview	Preparing for an interview Need a lot of support	Preparing for an interview Need some support	Preparing for an interview Need very little support	Preparing for an interview I'm OK with this
Starting employment / volunteering	Starting employment / volunteering Need a lot of support	Starting employment / volunteering Need some support	Starting employment / volunteering Need very little support	Starting employment / volunteering I'm OK with this
Support in the workplace	Support in the workplace Need a lot of support	Support in the workplace Need some support	Support in the workplace Need very little support	Support in the workplace I'm OK with this

Can you suggest any other activities where support would be useful?

Question Title

* 4. If you are interested in getting a job or a volunteer position, what has been your experience of looking for and applying for suitable roles?

I have found it easy to find roles that suit me

I have been discouraged to apply for roles I was interested in because the wording of the advert suggested I wouldn't be right for the role

It's hard to find advertisements for roles I'm interested in

I struggle to understand what the employer wants me to write on an application form or CV

I lack the self confidence to apply for roles

I worry that an employer or colleagues would not understand my autism / sensory needs

I am uncertain about whether to disclose my differences and when to ask for reasonable adjustments

This space is here if you would like to say a bit about your experience looking for suitable roles and how hopeful or discouraged you feel about the possibility of finding a role just right for you.

Question Title

* 5. How could employers make it easier for autistic adults to apply for roles and negotiate the workplace?

Provide clear and specific job descriptions

Use plain English in the job description and application form to make sure all applicants know what is required

Outline clearly what information is needed on application forms and break down open ended questions into smaller steps

Creating inclusive alternatives to traditional interviews eg work trials or practical tasks

Ensure interview information is clear and outlines the structure and length of the interview

Send out interview questions in advance to all successful applicants

Make sure employers let everyone interviewed know whether or not they got the job and if you were unsuccessful, provide some useful feedback

Once someone starts a new job provide mentoring and buddying systems

Supporting any transition arrangements such as using a personal support worker or the access to work scheme

Inform the employee of any upcoming changes and what is happening within the organisation

Provide headphones to reduce noise levels

Have quiet areas to work

Provide workstations with dividing screens to help block out distractions

Provide training for staff on autism and how to support individuals

Have natural light where possible

Eliminate background noise

Share clear written instructions about tasks including deadlines, mini deadlines and timetables of events

Ensure staff teams have some basic awareness of autism

Include sufficient time / breaks for processing information about a task

This space is there if you would like to say a bit about your experience at interviews or in work and how hopeful or discouraged you feel about the possibility of finding a role just right for you.

Question Title

* 6. What is your connection to, or interest in autism? (formal diagnosis not necessary) Please tick all that apply

Autistic adult or young person

Parent / Carer of autistic young person

Parent / Carer of autistic adult

Professional working with autistic people

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Where do you or the autistic person you support / work with live and where would you be willing to visit to access services?

	I live here	I access services here
Barrow and surrounding area	Barrow and surrounding area I live here	Barrow and surrounding area I access services here
Ulverston and surrounding area	Ulverston and surrounding area I live here	Ulverston and surrounding area I access services here
Kendal and surrounding area	Kendal and surrounding area I live here	Kendal and surrounding area I access services here
Other part of Cumbria (please specify in the box below)	Other part of Cumbria (please specify in the box below) I live here	Other part of Cumbria (please specify in the box below) I access services here
Outside of Cumbria (please specify in the box below)	Outside of Cumbria (please specify in the box below) I live here	Outside of Cumbria (please specify in the box below) I access services here

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. How old are you or the autistic person you support or work with?

16 - 17 years old

18 - 25 years old

26 - 35 years old

36 - 45 years old

46 - 55 years old

56 - 65 years old

66+

Question Title

* 9. What gender are you or the autistic person you support / work with?

Female

Male

Prefer not to say

Other

This box is here for you to tell us how you identify if you wish

Question Title

* 10. The results of this survey are anonymous. If you wish to enter our prize draw for a £20 Amazon Gift Voucher or join our mailing list please add your details in the relevant box.

Prize Draw - Please add your email address

Mailing List - Please add your email address

Prize Draw and Mailing List - Please add your email address