Government announces new autism strategy, 'Think Autism'

To coincide with World Autism Awareness Day (2 April) the Government have met a number of key Push for Action recommendations – including for the first time ring-fenced money – in their publication of the revised adult autism strategy for England.

As part of the new initiative, coined ‘Think Autism’, the Government will put £4.5 million of revenue and capital funding towards an Innovation Fund and a community led awareness programme.

The innovation fund will support the development and replication of new services. The Awareness programme will help build understanding among the professionals working with people with autism and among the general public, and to make communities more autism-friendly. The Government will publish more details on how councils, charities and local groups can apply for the funding by the end of June 2014.

Push for Action has been calling on the Government to unlock the barriers councils and the NHS face in implementing the Autism strategy since it’s publication in 2010. In addition to the funding, we’ve also secured significant breakthroughs in key areas such as training, guidance, data collection and monitoring.

Mark Lever NAS Chief Executive, said:

It’s very positive that Think Autism is tackling core issues that affect the quality of the lives of adults with autism: understanding and awareness, and the development and delivery of better services. I would like to thank the thousands of NAS campaigners who worked through our Push for Action campaign to make this change happen.

While welcoming the new adult autism strategy, The National Autistic Society knows that this will only make a difference to people with autism and their families if local authorities and health services establish the best possible plans for local services, and if we in the autism community and the general public help create communities where adults with autism feel understood”.

The next crucial step is to ensure that councils and the NHS move forward in implementing the revised strategy. By the end of April we will have new campaign resources as we carry on in our battle to end the wait for everyday support.

To receive updates on the campaign, sign up to Push for Action now. 

The revised strategy will be published by the Government in full at 2pm today. We will update this page with a link to the strategy.