Autistic spectrum conditions: what we've heard from the public so far

Background

We have been contacted directly by several members of the public about their experiences of Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Following these comments we decided to speak to more people with ASC, carers, family members and professionals working in this area, to gain a fuller understanding of the issues that had been raised.

Key findings

• No clear pathway to diagnosis of ASC for either children or adults
• Concerns with the length of time it takes to get diagnosis
• Insufficient support available for people with ASC in the area, especially if they don’t have a learning disability or mental ill health
• Poor understanding of ASC within health services, particularly primary care
• Significant variation in the level of knowledge and understanding of ASC  in schools and nurseries
• Difficulties in transition from children’s services to adults’
• Difficulties in obtaining employment as a result of poor understanding of ASC

Since the publication of the report “Autistic Spectrum Conditions: What we’ve heard so far”, Healthwatch is pleased to learn that there is to be additional funding made available for the Bradford & Airedale Neurodevelopment Service (BANDS) to increase professional capacity with a view to reducing the current waiting list.

Healthwatch would like to state that any information in the report is a replication of what people have said to us, and is not checked for factual accuracy.