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05:52 Monday 25 November 2013
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Written by GARETH MCPHERSON
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An expert from Cambridge University has said he is underwhelmed by the Government’s efforts to improve support for people with autism.
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Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, said the optimism brought on by the Autism Act has been diminished by a lack of spending – and suggested punishing regions who do not offer a good enough service.
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In an interview with John Bercow MP, who has a son with autism, at a National Autistic Society (NAS) event, Prof Baron-Cohen said he was most concerned about the Government’s policy of “decentralisationâ€, which means no-one takes responsibility for monitoring or naming and shaming regions that are failing.
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He said: “The Autism Act in 2009 was a cause of celebration, because at last people with autism – especially adults who had been under the radar for services and support – were finally being discussed by the House of Commons. But four years on, Baron-Cohen, who accepts it is still early days, is worried.
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He added: “All the Autism Act did was to call on the Department of Health to implement an autism strategy. That was fine, although it left the details to be worked out.
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“In 2010, the DH published the Autism Strategy and on paper it looked good. But good intentions – to ensure rapid access to diagnosis, and a quick route to the clinical pathway of receiving life-long post-diagnosis support – need extra spending, and even penalties on those regions that are not delivering an excellent service.
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“Regretfully, in too many parts of the country, services are still very patchy.â€
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A NAS survey found too many adults with the condition are still waiting for support. It revealed 77 per cent of respondents need help managing money, but only 4 per cent receive support.
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