Thousands missing out on specialised support in Wales. - Randerson

11.44.07am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th May 2008

Jenny Randerson AM believes that thousands are missing out on specialist support for autism

Jenny Randerson, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Social Services, will this afternoon criticise the Government on their failure to provide specialised support to thousands of people in Wales living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. During the debate in the Siambr, Jenny Randerson will also highlight how Wales lags behind in autism support, diagnosis and the recording of people with autism.

Jenny Randerson, Cardiff Central AM said:

"Many people live with autism in Wales and local authorities and health boards are not required to keep accurate records of people who suffer from autism. How can we have an action plan addressing the issue if we do not know the extent of the problem? An action plan seems futile without proper and accurate information on sufferers.

"Current statistics show that about 1 in 100 people suffer from autism and I am worried that thousands of autistic people in Wales are not receiving the specialised support they need.

"Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects the way the brain processes information, meaning that autistic people have difficulty with social communication and interaction.

"People who are autistic often have difficulty in accessing help, even if they have obtained official diagnosis and assessments as some are unable to cope with everyday tasks and have high levels of anxiety. It is important that people with autism receive the right support as many experience mental health problems due to a lack of support.

"Whilst I welcome the fact that the government is addressing this important

issue, they need to go much further and provide adequate training for social

care support staff and require local authorities to keep accurate records of this

disability so that we can address the issue accordingly."

Ends/Diwedd

Notes:

· Three quarters of local authorities do not have an autism training strategy and nearly two thirds of parents of an adult with autism cite a lack of understanding of autism and/or of the needs of people with autism as a barrier to their son or daughter receiving support.

· The National Autistic Society Cymru receives calls from parents of people with autism and people with Asperger's syndrome every day who are desperate for help and very clearly need support. For many of these people, there is nowhere for them to turn, as they have been refused support from their local authority.