Forum Brief: Autism

Marking Autism Awareness Week, the Autism Awareness Campaign  has called on the prime minister to provide the personalisation of public services for the 520,000 Autistic Community and the 90,000 autistic children in the United Kingdom. In response the Health Minister Stephen Ladyman, today announced a new funding boost of £156,000 for the National Autistic Society's 'Social Skills-Young People with Asperger Syndrome' project.

Forum Response: Department of Health

Health minister Dr. Ladyman said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this new investment to improve services for people with autism. It is one of the least understood but most frightening and difficult of conditions. We welcome initiatives that aim to improve our knowledge and understanding of autism.

"We are grateful to groups like the National Autistic Society and other voluntary organisations that work hard to provide better support for people with Asperger Syndrome. The work they do is vital for making sure that people with this condition can be confident that they get the support they need."

Forum Response: National Autistic Society

Stuart Notholt, director of policy and public affairs said: ""The National Autistic Society has chosen the theme of 'planning for life' for Autism Awareness Week 2004. The report pulls together evidence on current outcomes for people with autism, using real life examples to illustrate the particular difficulties in planning for life created by the social and communication impairments associated with autism. While a statutory framework exists in all the UK nations for transition planning after compulsory education, its implementation is at best patchy. Moreover, the statutory entitlements that are at least theoretically available to children and young people with an ASD disappear in adulthood."

 

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

A spokesman for the Disability Rights Commission said: "People with autism spectrum disorders face immense barriers to independent living and social inclusion and are particularly vulnerable to less favourable treatment at school, college, in the labour market and health service as their impairment is complex, hidden and often misunderstood.  Autism Awareness Week plays an invaluable role in raising awareness of these barriers.   The Disability Rights Commission is campaigning long term for enforceable individual rights to independent living for all disabled people – including whatever specialist support and enabling services people with autism require to participate fully as equal citizens. "