The Government has launched a consultation providing public and stakeholders with the opportunity to say what they think should be in the National Autism Stratgey for England, due to be launched later this year. The extended 20-week consultation period was formally launched when five people with Autism Spectrum Conditions meeting Care Services Minister Phil Hope. The issues raised will be submitted as the first responses to the consultation.

The consultation, runing until 15th September, seeks views from people with autism, their families, their carers and those involved in delivering services, to make sure that the final strategy makes a real difference on the ground. People responding to the consultation will be asked for their views on five key themes.

They are:

• Health
• Social Inclusion
• Choice and Control
• Awareness raising and training for staff
• Access to training and employment

Ministers have already committed to issuing statutory guidance to ensure the final strategy is put into practice at a local level. “People with Autistic Spectrum Conditions should have the same rights and freedom to enjoy life as everyone else, said Phil Hope. I want as many people as possible to respond to the consultation and let us know about their experiences, in their communities. The people I’ve met have strong opinions on what changes will make a difference to their day to day lives. With their responses to the consultation, and the views of people from across the country, we can make sure that the national strategy we’ll publish at the end of the year really delivers where it counts.”

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society and chair of the strategy’s External Reference Group, said: “After months of campaigning, the Government have given adults with autism an unprecedented opportunity to have their say in a strategy which could make a real difference. It is important that as many people affected by autism as possible take part to help shape the final strategy and the action that is needed at a local and national level. Without the right support autism can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect, so I urge the Government to reaffirm their commitment to giving the strategy the legal force, which is absolutely necessary to deliver real change.”

A film of the first responses to the consultation can be seen on the national Autistic Society website . To find out how you can get involved in the consultation, visit the dedicated webpage here.