Social prescribing for autistic people: A framework for service provision [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Citation

Charlton RA, Crompton CJ, Roestorf A, Torry C & The Autistica Physical Health and Ageing Study Group (2021) Social prescribing for autistic people: A framework for service provision [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] . AMRC Open Research, 2, Art. No.: 19. https://doi.org/10.12688/amrcopenres.12901.2

Abstract
Social Prescribing (SP) is the referral of patients to non-clinical services for practical, physical or psychosocial support. Recent guidelines from the National Health Service England mean that SP will become commonplace for people with complex healthcare needs. Autistic adults make up 1% of the population and commonly have co-existing physical and mental health conditions, therefore they are likely to be referred to SP services. As yet, no studies have examined the efficacy of SP for autistic adults. In this letter, we review the existing literature examining the efficacy of SP in the general population. We further examine the factors that should be considered when offering SP to autistic adults in order to optimise outcomes.

Keywords
Social prescribing; Autism; Complex health; Personalised care

Journal
AMRC Open Research: Volume 2

• Social Prescribing ARMCOpen 2020.04.27