I have an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) yet I consider myself very fortunate that I have had little need to access any support services. Had it been possible to have received a diagnosis as a child perhaps I would have had support and my life may have been different. Whether it would have been any better I can't say, I like my life and I have no complaints. However there are many people on the spectrum whose autism is a serious impairment to living a full and productive life around half of whom it would appear are not well served by support services. When I say "around half" that is a guess because without accurate recording of people with autism, their requirements and provision of services we really don't know how inadequate the provision is. We do know from a recent survey by NAS Scotland that 48% rated their overall experience of services to help them with their autism as either poor or very poor and that a third of people have had to go to a tribunal to get the right support. The same survey found that 95% of people believe it is necessary to create a legal duty on local authorities and health boards.
Hugh O'Donnell MSP recently launched a private members bill entitled
A Scottish Autism Strategy Bill which is supported by The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland) which will if passed address both the gaps in reporting autism and in the provision of autism services. I am lucky that I live in Maryhill in Glasgow where we have a dedicated Autism Research Centre which provides many services to people with autiism and to those involved in their care – most of Scotland is not so fortunate. The introduction to the bill says, "Owing to a lack of a national autism strategy in Scotland people with autism and their carers face something of a postcode lottery in terms of service provision. This Bill will ensure national standards of service and provision and guidance to local providers". It is wrong that the quality of service provision should depend on geography rather than need and this must change. Scotland is the only part of the UK without a national autism strategy.
As long as we lack a national strategy we all suffer from the cost to society of the resources we waste. Services need to be properly targeted to achieve effectiveness and cut waste. Early intervention in autism saves us from costly care provision later particularly as many people with autism are capable of a variety of useful jobs if given the right support. By equipping people on the spectrum to lead independent and productive lives we free resources for those who cannot. The bill will enable many people with autism to access education and employment and particularly to make the transition between the two.
Without proper provision of diagnostic services it is impossible to properly provide services. The National Audit Office is of the opinion that "if local authorities identify and support just 4% of adults with
Asperger syndrome the cost of services will be cost-neutral. The more people who are identified and supported the greater the savings will be."
PROPOSAL FOR A SCOTTISH AUTISM STRATEGY BILL
The proposal is for a Scottish Autism Strategy Bill that would place duties on
the Scottish Government, local authorities and health boards to improve
support for both adults and children with autism:
The terms of the proposal would place a statutory duty on the Scottish
Government to:-
• prepare and publish a strategy to meet the needs of children and
adults with autism;
• consult with appropriate organisations and people;
• issue statutory guidance to local authorities and health boards on:-
• the provision of diagnostic services;
• the identification of children and adults with autism locally;
• the assessment of their needs;
• the planning and provision of services;
• the training of staff;
• leadership at local level.
I don't need much support others do. Please help them and ensure your taxes are not wasted in the provision of unnecessary care instead of timely and focused intervention. Most people with autism want to contribute to society. Please help us to play our part in society, please support the bill and tell your friends.
To get involved in the consultation please visit the "We Exist" campaign website at
http://www.autism.org.uk/scottishautismbill
or contact:
National Autistic Society Scotland
1st Floor Central Chambers
109 Hope Street
Glasgow G2 6LL
Telephone 0141 221 8090
Email scotland@nas.org.uk
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