Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, is backing The National Autistic Society’s (NAS) new campaign aimed at improving support for adults with autism across the Stockton Borough and throughout England.
One in every hundred adults has autism, meaning there are 300,000 adults in England with the disability.
Alex’s endorsement of the ‘Push For Action’ campaign follows a recent NAS survey of 1,100 people across England, which showed that many adults with the disability are missing out on the support they need. For instance, 36% of people with autism said they need help to wash and dress but only 7% get this support from social services, while 77% of people with autism said they need help to manage money but only 4% receive this support from social services.
These findings come despite the existence of the Autism Act 2009, which was designed to improve support for adults with autism and their families. The new NAS research shows that while there have been some improvements, far too many people with autism are still waiting for the right services.
This year the Government is reviewing the impact of the Autism Act. Alex is supporting ‘Push for Action’ to make sure adults with autism in Stockton North and across England can access support.
Alex said:
“If they don’t have the right support, many people with autism can struggle with the everyday activities that many of us take for granted. With the impact of the Autism Act under review, I hope I can count on the support of local people in the area to get behind the NAS’ ‘Push for Action’ campaign, and seize this opportunity to improve life for adults with the condition.
“I will be writing to the council to make sure the needs of people with autism in the Stockton Borough are being put front and centre.”
Mark Lever, NAS Chief Executive, said:
“It’s great news that Alex is championing this important campaign. Adults with autism have been waiting a long time to get the everyday support that they need.
“We’ve seen great strides forward in some parts of the country since 2009, but progress has been too slow and too patchy.
“The Government’s Autism Act review gives people with autism a second chance to be heard – we need to make it count.”
