Caring communities and caring societies
Starting from the population perspective, this chapter builds on what we have learnt at the individual level. It reflects on epidemiological information and its implications for society beyond 1:1 clinical practice, towards policy development. Wider stakeholders are considered, in addition to policy developers, planning, commissioning, provider services, and businesses. Working from policy to practice implies the need for cross-sectoral approaches, governmentally co-ordinated and supported. It asks how a society, or a region, or district uses population information in the interests of adults with autism and their carers, and the services that are expected to identify and meet their needs. Population needs assessment is considered in terms of prevalence, and the proportion with met and with unmet need. The importance of information to monitor the effects of policy implementation, including surveillance, is also explained. Policy initiatives are considered in a variety of different nations—the UK, the USA, and European Union.