Crawley MP Supports Autism Campaign

Crawley MP, Henry Smith, is backing The National Autistic Society’s (NAS) new campaign aimed at improving support for adults with autism in Crawley and across England.

One in every hundred adults has autism, meaning there are 300,000 adults in England with the disability.

Henry’s endorsement of the ‘Push For Action’ campaign follows a recent NAS survey of 1100 people across England, which showed that many adults with the disability are missing out on the support they need:

  • 36% of people with autism said they need help to wash and dress. But only 7% get this support from social services.
  • 77% of people with autism say they need help to manage money. But only 4% get this support from social services.
  • 53% of people with autism say they want help to find work. But only 10% get the support to do so.

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. Henry is supporting ‘Push for Action’ to make sure adults with autism can access support.

Commenting, Henry 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 Crawley folk to get behind the NAS’ ‘Push for Action’ campaign, and seize this opportunity to improve life for adults with the condition.

Commenting, Mark Lever NAS Chief Executive said:

“It’s great news that Henry 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.”

Follow Henry daily via: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp; http://www.youtube.com/user/HenrySmithMP; or www.henrysmith.info.