Evidence indicates mental health staff need education when working with autistic people (Maddox et al, 2020; Crane et al, 2018). This project aims to address this through collaboration with a peer specialist (PS).
A service improvement case study to enhance community mental health team (CMHT) staff’s knowledge and skills when working with autistic adults with coexisting mental illnesses. Education sessions were co-created and co-delivered by a trainee advanced clinical practitioner (tACP) and an autistic PS (Crane et al, 2019, National Autistic Society, 2025). Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey. Both the tACP and PS provide reflections on co-production.
All participants reported improved knowledge of autism, with 6 of 7 agreeing their confidence working with autistic people with co-occurring mental illnesses had improved. All agreed that PS inclusion in training was valuable.
Despite small sample size, this project demonstrates clear need for autism training in CMHTs and supports PS inclusion in professional training. It examines co-production experience and benefits through reflections from both professional and PS perspectives.
