'Gordon Brown Must Act On Autism', Says Ivan Corea, Head Of Autism Awareness Campaign, UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 02 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Ivan Corea, who heads the Autism Awareness Campaign in the United Kingdom, has urged the Prime Minister Elect, Gordon Brown to take up the whole issue of autism. Gordon Brown has pledged to act on education as a key plank to his government's strategy. Ivan Corea appealed to the Prime Minister Elect to view autism as one of the concrete issues he plans to tackle in his premiership.

Autism has been pushed right up the political agenda in the UK. Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, according to estimates 587,900 people in the UK are on the autism spectrym. According to researchers in the UK 1 in 100 children may have autism. Numbers are rising and autism campaigners are calling on Gordon Brown to show leadership by taking decisive action on the issue.

'We are calling on Gordon Brown to show his committment to parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome by pledging his support for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year program of action which includes building specialist autism schools and launching a national AUTISM COMPACT with employers in order to tackle the whole question of access to the labour market for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Gordon Brown must act on autism,' he said.

Leading UK charities, community organisations and faith groups are supporting the call of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK for a cohesive national strategy on autism and a 10 year program. Parliamentarians of all parties are currently signing an early day motion on autism - EDM 1359 backing this call. MPs are calling on Gordon Brown to reach out to all people with autism.

Recently a song for autism, 'Open Every Door' written by the Sri Lanka born superstar Nimal Mendis (who is based in the UK) was handed over to Gordon Brown. The song produced by mediaeye productions in London is a moving account of the life of a child with autism. Nimal Mendis has joined British musicians in urging Gordon Brown to take decisive action on autism and end the postcode lottery to education, health, specilist speech therapy and respite care for parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

'Gordon Brown has pledged to listen to the people in our country and that must include the voices of parents, carers and all people with autism. There is a lot of suffering out there, people are still struggling and I hope that Gordon Brown's vision will include an on-going 10 year strategy on autism. He must deliver on public services,' said Ivan Corea in London.

Lee Scott MP for Ilford North is also pressing Gordon Brown for action on autism. Scott has been championing the cause of autism in the Palace of Westminster. He initiated a key debate in Westminster Hall in March this year - it is widely regarded as one of the most important debates on autism. Lee Scott and Ivan Corea presented the Autism Report to the Prime Minister on 25th April in the House of Commons in Westminster.

There are many issues connected with autism that a Gordon Brown Administration will need to address and this includes the witholding of statements by some councils on the grounds of cost. This action is preventing some autistic children from getting the education services they so desperately need in order to help them.

Autism Awareness Campaign UK
http://www.uk_autism.tripod.com

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