The All Party Group on Autism (APGA) at the NI Assembly, has submitted evidence to the US Congressional Hearing on Autism Spectrum Disorders – a growing public health crisis. Arlene Cassidy, CEO of AutismNI submitted their evidence which included the following:
In 2010, AutismNI produced two research reports (“The Hidden Community” and “Is Anyone Listening”) into the pressures experienced by families ‘living with autism’. The following statistics are taken from those reports:-
- 80% of mothers contacted were experiencing high levels of anxiety through to 50% who are on long term anti-depressant medication.
- 64% of adults with ASD live at home, 13% live on their own, and 25% are financially independent.
- 57% of adults with ASD had suffered depression, 65% anxiety and 34% mental health problems as a result of lack of support.
In 2010, in evidence submitted to the NI Assembly Health Committee, AutismNI noted that despite a 500% increase in the numbers of school age children between 2001 and 2009, financial investment within health and social care had increased by only 100%:-
- Department of Education figures estimate 5000 school age children with ASD in 2009. The figure was 900 in 2002.
- In addition, Department of Health figures indicate a prevalence rise from 1:100 to 1:60 within the past 3 yrs.
The Autism Act is truly significant for Northern Ireland in addressing the historic lack of strategic cohesion but is also a beacon for the wider global ASD community because it………
- is the result of a 5 year lobby partnership led by Autism NI working with the All Party Group on Autism (APGA) at the NI Assembly and supported by the wider Autism community across NI.
- supersedes the English Autism Act (2010) as the most comprehensive and progressive legislation for Autism across the UK and Ireland.
- is equality and rights based, bringing entitlements for people with Autism into line with the rest of the disability sector.
- is the first legislation binding all government departments to plan, cooperate and implement an agreed strategy and services for individuals with a disability.
- sets in place a system of scrutiny and accountability that is overseen by the NI Assembly.
The impact for families can be significant because the Act will…….
- by implementing changes to DDA, impact with the removal of the IQ score of 70+ as a barrier to accessing services.
- by implementing changes to DDA, clarify the legal basis for discrimination cases regarding Autism in the areas of, for example, employment and benefit entitlement.
- by implementing changes to DDA and creating an Autism awareness campaign, improve public knowledge and understanding of the condition, potentially reducing isolation felt by families living with Autism in their local communities.
- bring a legal basis for the recognition of Autism and an end to the denial of the condition by certain professions.
- require all government departments to plan together for Autism for the first time ever. The government strategy will mean that some government departments will be contributing to Autism services for the first time.
