AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Last week marked World Autism Awareness Week.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with – and relates to – other people.
It occurs in varying levels of severity. Some autistic people also have learning disabilities, mental health issues, or both, meaning people need different levels of support.
There is no cure for autism. Autistic children become autistic adults. With the right sort of support, all can be helped to live a more fulfilling life of their own choosing.
Much can be achieved to make life less challenging with appropriate education and support. It is crucial that there are services in place to meet the needs of the 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK today.
Autism specific legislation already exists in England and Northern Ireland, but currently there is no such equivalent in Wales.
The last time the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly tried to speak up for the autism community in October 2016, Welsh Labour voted against this proposed law.
The good news is that Preseli AM, Paul Davies, won the members ballot and has proposed an Autism Bill for Wales.
The Bill aims to ensure that the needs of Wales’ 34,000-strong autism community are enshrined into law. If successful, the Bill would mean health boards and councils would be legally required to specify what services they need to deliver, and would expand upon the Welsh Government’s autism strategy.
Many carers and autistic people say this strategy does not go far enough to provide the essential support that is often required.
Paul Davies said: “The entire point of this legislation is to put the provision of autism services on a statutory footing and secure a measure of permanence and sustainability in care and support services for people with autism spectrum conditions.”
Whether in Autism Awareness week, or during the other 51 weeks of the year, I would encourage everyone to learn more about the condition and raise funds for your local support group – or one of the national charities.
I would also urge them to take part in the consultation, available online via the Welsh Assembly website or by following this link:
Consultation | National Assembly for Wales
Finally, don’t leave it there. Please use this opportunity to make your assembly member aware of your support by writing to them to encourage them to vote for this bill when it is introduced to the assembly before July 13.
Cllr Carolyn Webster,
Bridgend.
Source: ‘Autism is year round and lifelong, not just during the annual awareness week’
Last week marked World Autism Awareness Week.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with – and relates to – other people.
It occurs in varying levels of severity. Some autistic people also have learning disabilities, mental health issues, or both, meaning people need different levels of support.
There is no cure for autism. Autistic children become autistic adults. With the right sort of support, all can be helped to live a more fulfilling life of their own choosing.
Much can be achieved to make life less challenging with appropriate education and support. It is crucial that there are services in place to meet the needs of the 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK today.
Autism specific legislation already exists in England and Northern Ireland, but currently there is no such equivalent in Wales.
The last time the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly tried to speak up for the autism community in October 2016, Welsh Labour voted against this proposed law.
The good news is that Preseli AM, Paul Davies, won the members ballot and has proposed an Autism Bill for Wales.
The Bill aims to ensure that the needs of Wales’ 34,000-strong autism community are enshrined into law. If successful, the Bill would mean health boards and councils would be legally required to specify what services they need to deliver, and would expand upon the Welsh Government’s autism strategy.
Many carers and autistic people say this strategy does not go far enough to provide the essential support that is often required.
Paul Davies said: “The entire point of this legislation is to put the provision of autism services on a statutory footing and secure a measure of permanence and sustainability in care and support services for people with autism spectrum conditions.”
Whether in Autism Awareness week, or during the other 51 weeks of the year, I would encourage everyone to learn more about the condition and raise funds for your local support group – or one of the national charities.
I would also urge them to take part in the consultation, available online via the Welsh Assembly website or by following this link:
Consultation | National Assembly for Wales
Finally, don’t leave it there. Please use this opportunity to make your assembly member aware of your support by writing to them to encourage them to vote for this bill when it is introduced to the assembly before July 13.
Cllr Carolyn Webster,
Bridgend.
Source: ‘Autism is year round and lifelong, not just during the annual awareness week’
