BACKBENCH BUSINESS - WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS WEEKBACKBENCH BUSINESS

Compliments the right hon. Lady's work on autism and inquires about stigma around autism that still exists among the general public, educational institutions, and employers.

Responds to Catherine West by acknowledging some areas where people with autism are welcomed into work but agrees on the importance of addressing stigma in various sectors.

Praises the right hon. Lady's efforts and questions her about awareness within the criminal justice system, noting inappropriate understanding levels leading to contact between adults with autism and the legal system.

Acknowledges Kevin Brennan's point and plans to discuss implications of autism in the criminal justice system later. Emphasises social isolation issues faced by autistic individuals, including 79% feeling socially isolated, half avoiding public spaces due to worry, and 28% asked to leave a space due to behaviour linked to their autism.

Appreciates the right hon. Lady's speech and inquires about organisations that help people with Asperger’s and those on the spectrum to socialise, building confidence and support for them entering a potentially threatening world.

Expresses gratitude towards Robin Walker and commends such organisations' achievements in helping build confidence and ensuring necessary support. She also highlights the need for action on behalf of 700,000 people in the UK on the autism spectrum and their families.

Gratifies the right hon. Lady's work on autism and expresses worry about only 15% of adults with autism being in full-time employment. She suggests Government support for organisations like Ambitious about Autism to aid transitions into work.

Ms Gillan highlighted the need for early diagnosis, noting that adults wait over two years on average while children wait 3.6 years, emphasising that a diagnosis is crucial to unlocking appropriate support.

Ms Whately echoed the concerns about delays in diagnosis and the lack of transparency regarding waiting times for diagnoses from both county councils and NHS, stressing that this is a pressing issue.

Ms Gillan agreed that NHS England should collect, publish and monitor key information on how long people are waiting for an autism diagnosis. She urged the Government to ensure timely access to an autism diagnosis by writing it into their mandate to NHS England. She discussed a recent Autistica report which highlighted lower life expectancy among autistic individuals in Sweden compared to the general population, urging the UK government to investigate these findings urgently. She also mentioned the importance of an autism hospital passport designed to help people on the spectrum communicate with healthcare professionals effectively. Additionally, she stressed the need for better teacher training on autism and more autism-specific employment programmes, noting that mainstream generic programmes do not adequately address the needs of autistic individuals. Ms Gillan emphasised the necessity for public awareness to improve understanding and compassion towards those with autism.

Cruddas emphasised the issue of diagnosis delay for children with autism, citing a three-and-a-half-year average wait time. He highlighted insufficient training among NHS staff and cost pressures within the system as contributing factors. He also noted that families often lack direction without a formal diagnosis, hindering access to necessary support. Cruddas further stressed the complexity of the current system, which is overwhelmed by budget cuts and lacks a unified approach for autism cases. He recognised the work done at a local level by individuals like Fay Hough and advocated for more targeted research that addresses the daily needs of autistic people and their families.

Ryan congratulated Mrs Gillan on securing the debate. She mentioned concerns raised by Durants school, a secondary institution for students with autism in her constituency, regarding potential negative impacts of proposed changes to national school funding formulae that could result in reduced funds for high-needs schools.

Latham discussed the personal impact of autism on families and individuals, including delays in diagnosis or lack thereof. She recounted her meetings with parents struggling to navigate diagnostic processes and find necessary support for their children and themselves. Emphasising local situations in Derby and Derbyshire, she highlighted that the current system fails to adequately address the needs of those seeking diagnoses and help within educational settings.

Bardell commented positively on the contributions made by individuals with autism in her office, noting their unique skills. She suggested a shift towards highlighting the capabilities rather than focusing solely on challenges faced by those on the autistic spectrum.

Families in Derbyshire face long waiting times between referrals and diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder. Local authorities require better training regarding education, health and care plans for ASD pupils. There is a lack of understanding by parents on their legal rights and available services. The transition from special educational needs statements to EHCPs has been poorly managed in Derby city, resulting in delays that are detrimental to children's development.

Autism is a spectrum condition, requiring individualised treatment. Public attitudes towards autism need improvement; 87% of parents have experienced people stopping and staring at their children while displaying autistic behaviour. The public often view those with autism as antisocial, leading to isolation for four in every five people living with autism who feel judged by society.

The reaction of the public towards individuals with autism and their families can lead to fear of going out, especially during transitions into adulthood. This social isolation impacts both autistic children and their primary carers.

Specialist speech and language therapists in many areas of Scotland provide particular support to pupils with communication challenges, highlighting the importance of dedicated professionals who understand autism.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham on securing the debate and on her tireless work over many years to raise awareness of autism... Without good friends, good luck and financial support, I know that our son would have fallen out of school by the time he was six or seven.

My hon. Friend’s son was extremely lucky because he had a mum who was prepared to fight and had the ability to fight... However, some parents do not have the ability or the confidence to do that, and these are the ones that are really being let down by the system.

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend... We can read about his school years, which were truly awful... I call on our Government to encourage our councils to be creative and forward thinking in their support for our autistic children—most urgently of all by getting speedy diagnosis so that support can hopefully follow.

It is an absolute pleasure to follow that speech by the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed... This explosion of information on autistic spectrum disorders and the incorporation of individuals with autism into everyday culture has helped to familiarise people with the condition... In short, we will not overcome ignorance and help those with autism— young and old—to live independent and fulfilling lives simply by increasing awareness alone.

In common with other speakers, my hon. Friend is making a very powerful speech about awareness and understanding... Does he agree—I thought his remarks were leading towards this—that we also need to translate such awareness into some hard practical action on service delivery, and that this applies whether it be about education or housing?

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. I have dealt with allocation cases myself, and I agree that detailed policies need to be put in place that are based on recognition of the particular needs of autistic children and their families. As I have said, having to navigate the system as it stands can cause those families unimaginable stress and anxiety. Those who can grow the sharp elbows necessary to navigate the system often do so at great personal cost, and, as the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire (Pauline Latham) said, not everyone has the ability to do that. The range of challenges faced by those with autism and their families is vast, and this is not the debate for delving into any particular one in great detail. My sense is, however, that our collective will and readiness to do something to help people on the spectrum would be stronger if more of us were not only aware of autism and understood it, but were more accepting of it as a society. If we were, I suspect we would be compelled more urgently to address the lack of suitable childcare provision for autistic children and the fact that too many schools are still not autism-friendly and too many children are not getting the support they require. We would be compelled more urgently to address the prevalence of mental health conditions in those with autism, and the isolation that young people with autism too frequently face in school. We would be compelled to address the cliff edge in support—that is what it is—that still faces autistic people in too many parts of the country as they transition to adulthood. We would also be compelled to address the huge challenges that still face autistic adults in terms of diagnosis, employment and housing.

I, too, congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), not only on securing the debate and not only on the excellent work she does as chairman of the all-party parliamentary group, but on her wonderful work in piloting the Autism Act 2009 through the House. It was ground-breaking legislation, and it has done a tremendous amount to improve the lot of adults with autism in England. Notwithstanding the passing of the 2009 Act, however, there is still much work to be done to ensure that people with autism and their families receive the support that they need, and, crucially, that understanding of the condition continues to develop. We must bear it in mind that autism was not formally recognised as a condition until the late 1940s, and that serious research on the condition did not begin in earnest until the 1960s. In 1970, an American study concluded that one child in 14,000 was autistic, but more recent US studies have shown that one child in 68 has some form of autism. A very recent study in Korea—the first study of an entire tranche of the school population—concluded that one child in 38 between the ages of seven and 12 had some degree of autism. It is therefore becoming increasingly clear that the condition is far more prevalent than any of us had thought. As my right hon. Friend mentioned, it is estimated that between 600,000 and 700,000 people in the United Kingdom—approximately 1% of the population—are affected by autism. That has an economic as well as a human cost. A study by the London School of Economics in 2014 estimated that the cost of autism to the British economy was approximately £32.1 billion a year.

Congratulated Mrs Gillan on her work. Stressed the difficulties faced by individuals with autism in understanding social cues and regulating emotions, leading to isolation and difficulty in participating in daily activities. Highlighted long waiting times for diagnosis as a significant issue, often exceeding 10 times the recommended period.

Congratulated Mrs Gillan on initiating the debate and her work on the Autism Act 2009. Emphasised the importance of early diagnosis to better understand the condition and support families. Pledged to reduce waiting times for diagnosis in line with NICE guidelines, stressing the need for integrated health and social care services.

Responded to John Howell's points about integration of health and social care. Noted that in Northern Ireland, a single body oversees both health and social services, highlighting the need for better co-operation with other groups and organisations.

Congratulated Mrs Gillan on her leadership in raising awareness about autism. Stressed that ignorance of autism leads to failure in providing necessary support, impacting employment opportunities and increasing state dependency costs. Advocated for better understanding and recognition of the potential of individuals with autism.

He emphasised that the government's responsibility lies in responding to new learning and evidence, advocating for better data collection and analysis. He highlighted societal failures towards autistic individuals through two case studies: Connor Sparrowhawk’s tragic death due to poor care practices, illustrating the need for accountability and a shift from closed to open organisational cultures; and an unnamed nine-year-old constituent who endured prolonged waiting times for diagnosis and support, underscoring the iniquities of current systems. Lamb called for adherence to NICE guidelines for early autism diagnosis within three months after GP referral.

She pointed out that the government does not collect specific employment data on people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, suggesting a cross-party effort to campaign for better data collection and collaboration with businesses to create autism-friendly interview processes.

He congratulated those involved in the Autism Act 2009 and highlighted local organisations, such as Monday Night Club and ASPIE, which reduce social isolation for people with autism. He also mentioned a web design company, Wits End Wizardry, that employs individuals on the spectrum and noted the importance of using their unique talents in fields like cyber-security.

She agreed with Robin Walker's points about leveraging autism to improve business capabilities, citing examples from the north-east and midlands where businesses are taking advantage of such talents.

Mr Woodcock emphasised the underreporting of autism cases in the UK due to insufficient recognition and hidden service capacity issues. He highlighted long referral times, difficulties in getting services acknowledged, and parents' frustrations with being denied proper documentation for their concerns. Mr Woodcock also praised local initiatives such as the book 'He's Not Naughty' by Deborah Brownson and the TV series 'The A Word' for raising autism awareness.

Ms Throup discussed the delays in autism diagnosis, citing a specific case of a seven-year-old boy who has been waiting almost two years for a proper assessment. She highlighted the Catch-22 situation where he cannot access special needs support without an official diagnosis. Ms Throup also emphasised the emotional burden on families and advocated for improved understanding and policies to better assist these vulnerable individuals.

Ms Smith discussed the unacceptable waiting times for autism diagnosis, citing personal stories of constituents who had waited years or were only diagnosed later in life. She urged the Minister to ensure that NHS England's new autism care pathway includes measures to reduce these waiting times. Additionally, she highlighted employment challenges faced by autistic individuals and called for more robust data collection on their employment outcomes. Ms Smith also questioned when the Government’s White Paper on disability and employment would be published and requested details about the upcoming Work and Health Programme, emphasising its importance in supporting autistic people's transition into work.

Mr Merriman expressed gratitude to his right hon. Friend for her work on autism legislation and highlighted the challenges faced by families with autistic children in navigating tick-box systems like those at DVLA. He discussed two special schools in Bexhill, Glyne Gap School and St Mary’s, praising their efforts but also pointing out issues such as difficulty in securing preferred placements for autistic children due to local authority policies favouring certain schools. Mr Merriman called for more freedom of choice and highlighted the need for positive handling strategies over isolation or restraint. He concluded by mentioning a jobs fair aimed at helping young people with autism find apprenticeships, saluting organisations like Little Gate Farm for bridging the gap between school and employment.

Expressed concern over the closure of an autism one-stop shop in Motherwell, highlighting its importance for parents and those with autism. The shop provides workshops, training, support services even before diagnosis, but will close due to lack of funding from local authorities.

Asked Marion Fellows if there is any possibility of reversing the decision to close the one-stop shop in Motherwell, recognising its importance for her constituents.

Responded by expressing ongoing efforts to keep the shop open due to heart-wrenching stories from parents facing social isolation and mental health issues. Acknowledged the invaluable work of staff who will lose their jobs.

Discussed the importance of education for children with autism, citing examples from schools in his constituency that provide excellent support. Emphasised the need for better teacher training to accommodate pupils with autism, highlighting high exclusion rates among autistic students.

Noted the work of Ambitious about Autism on special educational needs appeals, particularly those involving autism, reinforcing the need for better understanding and support in mainstream education settings.

Parents struggling to secure a diagnosis, adequate classroom support, transportation, housing, welfare assistance, and healthcare for their children with autism. Lack of public sector understanding leads to daily battles for families, exacerbated by mental health needs leading to inadequate care in psychiatric units.

Described the struggles faced by parents seeking support for their autistic children, including insufficient diagnoses, teacher training, bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, and difficulties transitioning from child to adult services. Emphasised the need for better training, clearer pathways for diagnosis, understanding of gender differences in autism, and employment support.

Agreed with Fiona Bruce's points, emphasising the need for more cooperation between statutory agencies to reduce daily struggles faced by parents and those affected by autism.

She highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with autism, emphasising the need for raising awareness and understanding to combat isolation, bullying, and societal misunderstanding. She cited statistics showing that more than one person in every 100 may be autistic, with 71% of children also living with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Gibson noted a high unemployment rate among graduates on the autism spectrum at 26%, twice the average for disabled adults. She emphasised the importance of continuing work to promote awareness and understanding.

He welcomed Patricia Gibson's speech, praising her eloquence and passion on the subject. He acknowledged that schools play a significant role in improving understanding within communities and supporting children with autism to interact better with their environment.

She responded by recognising the good work being done by many schools but emphasised the need for sharing best practices widely. She highlighted the importance of raising awareness and understanding to combat loneliness and isolation, which negatively impact health and wellbeing as much as smoking does.

She congratulated Mrs Gillan on securing the debate. She raised issues regarding difficulties in diagnosing autism and Asperger's syndrome, highlighting a lack of clear responsibility for diagnosis and subsequent support pathways. She mentioned that 16 to 18-year-olds face significant hurdles in getting diagnosed due to unclear divisions between clinical commissioning groups and child and adolescent mental health services. She also pointed out problems with schools and local authorities being reluctant to statement children, which prevents them from accessing additional necessary services.

Thanked the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham for securing the debate, highlighting his role as vice-chair of the all-party group on autism and father to an autistic child with learning difficulties. Emphasised the importance of family support, healthcare provision, and societal acceptance. Praised organisations such as the National Autistic Society, Ambitious about Autism, and Manchester Airports Group for their work in improving awareness and accessibility for people with autism. Hopes for Greater Manchester to become a world leader in autism-friendly initiatives.

Acknowledged the privilege of working as a clinical psychologist with individuals with ASD and praised the work of the all-party parliamentary group on autism. Highlighted research indicating high levels of social isolation and mental health difficulties among autistic people and their families. Emphasised the need for awareness, understanding, and support in schools, communities, and workplaces to reduce social exclusion and improve psychological wellbeing.

Stressed the importance of changing societal views towards autism to see the world from an autistic perspective. Highlighted research on social isolation, mental health difficulties, and employment gaps for autistic individuals.

Expressed gratitude to colleagues for their speeches and recognised the work of the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham in securing the debate. Compared autism incidence with dementia, noting that while the number of people living with each condition is similar, funding for awareness campaigns is vastly different, highlighting a disparity. Pledged support for the National Autistic Society's “Too Much Information” campaign. Addressed waiting times for diagnosis, calling on the Government and NHS England to prioritise reducing these wait times to prevent mental illness. Urged monitoring of diagnostic waiting times by clinical commissioning groups to address health inequalities for autistic people. Advocated for autism awareness training in teacher training frameworks based on feedback from a constituent whose son struggles with understanding teachers who lack ASD training.

Congratulates the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham on securing the debate; shares his personal experience as a parent of an autistic child; discusses societal reactions to autism, including staring and disapproving comments; mentions a constituent's experiences with public outings and social isolation; highlights challenges in managing unexpected situations such as holidays at Disneyland Paris and summer fairs; emphasises the importance of routine for his daughter; describes how schools can support autistic children through activities like horse riding; notes improvements but highlights ongoing difficulties, particularly in transitioning from education to adult life.

The speaker congratulates sponsors of the debate and acknowledges contributions from Members who shared their experiences as parents of children with autism. She welcomes the call for an enhanced national awareness campaign, recognising its importance in breaking down stigma and tackling prejudices associated with autism. Berger pays tribute to charities such as the National Autistic Society, Autistica, and Ambitious about Autism, which work to raise public understanding of autism and fight for proper diagnosis, treatment, social acceptance, and full lives for people with autism. She mentions survey evidence that although almost everyone has heard of autism, only 16% have a real understanding of the condition, highlighting the need for better awareness campaigns led by those affected. Berger also discusses research showing that while 99% of young people with autism want to work, only 15% of adults are in employment due to lack of knowledge among employers and jobcentres. She highlights social isolation experienced by people with autism, emphasising the need for public spaces to be autism-friendly. Berger asks the Minister to address awareness, stigma, prejudice, and commit to supporting the Autism Access Award, ensuring public buildings and workplaces become more inclusive. Additionally, she raises concerns about lengthy diagnosis times, citing figures of 2 years for adults and 3.6 years for children, which is unacceptable according to NICE standards. She also mentions a significant number of families waiting in Liverpool alone. Berger advocates for NHS England to report on autism diagnosis waiting times and ensure that diagnostic pathways are included in the new autism care pathway. Furthermore, she points out the high costs associated with autism compared to other conditions like cancer, heart disease, and stroke, noting the low research spending on autism relative to its scale. She addresses mental health challenges faced by people with autism, who have higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population, and highlights the alarming statistic that autistic people are nine times more likely to commit suicide compared to the typical population, urging for appropriate suicide prevention strategies.

Commended the contributions made by colleagues, particularly highlighting speeches from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Birmingham, Yardley, Stalybridge and Hyde, Angus, North Norfolk. Mentioned the importance of not defining people solely based on autism and praised the National Autistic Society's new campaign for autism awareness. Emphasised ongoing government efforts in improving services through the Think Autism strategy and progress report. Addressed issues related to diagnosis times, noting that clinical commissioning groups are working to reduce waiting times in line with NICE guidelines. Announced a series of visits by Department of Health and NHS England to develop strategic oversight of challenges in securing timely diagnoses.

Asked the Minister to consider setting a maximum waiting time standard of three months for entering diagnosis, highlighting that once standards are set, systems respond accordingly and change is needed.

Acknowledged the challenges in setting waiting time limits and collecting data, emphasising the need for transparency. Mentioned the Department of Health's role in monitoring mental health gaps and ensuring CCGs are held accountable. Highlighted that GPs maintain registers of people with learning disabilities which may include autism cases. Announced plans to develop a five-year plan for mental health data development including requirements for autism. Emphasised empathy and understanding as key to progress.

Acknowledged the positive impact of the debate, highlighting contributions from Members with personal testimonies about constituents' needs. Stressed that while progress has been made, there is still a lack of support and understanding for autistic people. Thanked colleagues for their participation and Government's response to improving diversity in public appointments for those on the autism spectrum.