"The Government Has Got To Get It Right": A National Autistic Society Response To The Public Accounts Committee Report On Adults With Autism, UK

Main Category: Autism
Also Included In: Mental Health
Article Date: 16 Oct 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society (NAS) said;

"The Government cannot possibly ignore the recommendations of this influential group of MPs. Adults with autism have been telling us for some time that they are frequently misunderstood and discriminated against whether it's trying to get a diagnosis, a job or access to health and social care. Thousands are experiencing serious mental health difficulties as a result and just 15% are currently in full time paid employment.

This has profound consequences for individuals, families and the wider economy.

The adult autism strategy, due next spring, presents one of the best opportunities we have ever had to tackle the routine inequality experienced by people with this serious, lifelong and disabling condition and so the Government has got to get it right. If the strategy is to be able to achieve real and lasting change it simply must include mandatory training for GPs and social workers."

The Public Accounts Committee report looks at what the Government is doing to improve support for adults with autism and makes a number of key recommendations including improved training for staff working in health, social care, benefits and employment services.

This reinforces the findings of a report launched earlier this week where the NAS accused the Government and Jobcentre Plus of writing off adults with autism and condemning them to a life of financial hardship and even poverty. A third of people with the condition - that's over 100,000 - currently live without a job and without benefits.

The Don't Write Me Off report also revealed that over a third of adults with autism said their Disability Employment Advisor's knowledge of autism was "very bad" or bad."

The charity is also calling for a better understanding of autism amongst employment and benefits advisors at Jobcentre Plus and for the adult autism strategy to transform access to employment for people with the condition.

Visit www.autism.org.uk/dontwritemeoff for more information.

Source
The National Autistic Society