Press Release - Supporting people with autism through
adulthood
5 June 2009
The National Audit Office has reported today that Government
departments and local health and social care organisations do not
have enough information on numbers of adults with autism. They also
lack a full understanding and awareness of the condition, limiting
their ability to plan and deliver services effectively.
Autism, which includes Asperger syndrome, is a lifelong
condition which affects the way in which people interact with the
world around them. It is estimated that there are around 400,000
adults with autism in England, many of whom may require specialised
support. Yet the NAO found that most NHS organisations and local
authorities do not know how many people with autism there are in
the areas they serve, and three quarters of local authorities do
not have a specific commissioning strategy for adults with
autism.
GPs and social care staff have low awareness of autism and how
to diagnose it, with 80 per cent of GPs surveyed reporting that
they need additional guidance and training in order to identify and
treat patients with autism more effectively.
Around 200,000 adults with autism do not have a learning
disability. This group often fails to secure appropriate support,
as health and social care services are traditionally configured for
people with a learning disability, a physical illness or
disability, or a mental health problem (which autism is not). Three
quarters of local authorities said adults with autism who do not
meet eligibility criteria experience or report difficulties
accessing the services they require. Almost two thirds felt that
current services for adults with autism are limited. Providing
specialised support could improve outcomes for this group of people
and their carers, and potentially enhance value for money, as the
costs of establishing such support could be outweighed over time by
overall savings.
There are few specialised employment support services for people
with autism. A lack of understanding of autism is a significant
barrier to gaining employment and more training is needed for those
delivering employment support and those administering benefits.
The Comptroller and Auditor General said:
"Greater awareness of the numbers of people with autism,
as well as better understanding of autism amongst those providing
health, social care, benefits, education and employment services,
would lead to improved quality of life for those on the autistic
spectrum. Specialist support and joint working across all areas –
clinical, social and employment – could improve the transition from
childhood to adult services, make services more effective and
improve value for money."
Notes for Editors
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability, whose causes are
not well understood. It is estimated that there are around 400,000
adults with autism in England. Some people with autism also have a
learning disability, sometimes known as "low-functioning" autism.
Around half of people are of normal or above average I.Q., known as
"high-functioning" autism, which includes Asperger syndrome.
- Recent estimates suggest that around 15 per cent of adults with
autism are in full-time employment.
- The NAO report focuses on services for adults rather than
children because children’s services are currently more developed
than those for adults, and have also been examined in depth in
other recent investigations such as The Bercow Review.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General is the head of the National
Audit Office which employs some 900 staff. He and the NAO are
totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all
Government departments and a wide range of other public sector
bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on
the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments
and other bodies have used their resources. This report has been
made by Tim Burr, who was C&AG until 31 May 2009. He was
succeeded by Amyas Morse on 1 June 2009.
Press Notice 36/09
All enquiries to Sarah Farndale, NAO Press
Office:
Tel: 020 7798 5350
Mobile: 07985 274 421