Autism Network Scotland: networking for autism in Scotland today.

In this paper we describe the role of Autism Network Scotland, its connection with the work of the original network for autism in Scotland, the Scottish Autism Services Network and its underlying principles, similarities and differences. We highlight evidence of Scotland-wide uptake across practitioner, individual and family interest in autism through presentation of three short case studies based on current work: Learning Events, Virtual Networks and one face-to-face network: the Asperger Forum. Autism Network Scotland is also committed to some project work: for example the Autism Adult Health and Well-being Project raised a number of issues about health, transitions and employment inequalities; we focus on new ways of working through the example of Project Search and the Universities Internship Pilot. We argue the unique nature of Autism Network Scotland, the distinctive role it plays as an information hub and networking arena and the strength it brings, by being both inclusive and impartial, to the complex world of policy, strategy, collaboration and cross sector working that is autism in Scotland today.