“However, because so little is known about the prevalence of autism, those affected by autistic spectrum disorders have been left all but invisible to health and social care services.  Most NHS bodies and local authorities have little idea of the numbers of people with autism in their area.  As a consequence, the needs of autistic people and their families are rarely taken into account.”

“This needs to change.  Those providing health and social care services need a much better understanding of autism so that they can provide effective and joined-up support to autistic people and their families.” 

The Situation in Norfolk

Mr Bacon added: “In Norfolk, I have been approached in recent years by a number of parents whose adult sons are autistic or have Asperger Syndrome and who have found great difficulties in obtaining suitable help from local health and social care services.” 

“Far too often, these parents have found that they ‘fell between two stools’ and that the council simply did not offer services which met their needs.  I put several of these mothers in touch with each other and for over two years they have now been having regular meetings with Norfolk County Council’s Adult Social Services Department.   There is now a steering group of parents, local support groups such as Asperger East Anglia and Autism Anglia and council officials who have all been working together to develop services which make sense and actually address the problems which this group of people face.”

“Getting to this point has proved difficult.  It has taken several years of prodding and cajoling before Norfolk County Council admitted there was a gap in its provision of services.  I am pleased to say that the County Council is now responding and we are seeing signs of progress locally.  This is in no small measure due to the persistence of parents and local support groups.  They are a determined and inspiring group but until local health and social care professionals are better trained in recognising the needs of autistic people and their families, much of the hard work will continue to rest on their shoulders.” 

Mr Bacon was speaking as the National Audit Office published its report into the support given to adults with autism.  The report finds that most NHS organisations and local authorities do not know how many people with autism there are in the areas they serve, and three quarters of local authorities do not have a specific commissioning strategy for adults with autism.  They also lack a full understanding and awareness of the condition, limiting their ability to plan and deliver services effectively.  

The report also finds that GPs and social care staff have low awareness of autism and how to diagnose it, with 80 per cent of GPs surveyed reporting that they need additional guidance and training in order to identify and treat patients with autism more effectively.