New Autism Service for Wales to Be Established

A new national autism service, which will provide lifetime support for children and adults, is to be set up in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced.

The new service, which has been welcomed by Wrexham’s AM Lesley Griffiths, will offer a more ‘joined up’ approach – bringing together children’s autistic teams with health boards as well as creating specialist teams for adults.

The new service is being backed by £6m from the Welsh Government and will be rolled out across Wales over the next three years.

It is a key part of the Welsh Government’s refreshed Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan, which when originally launched in 2008 was the first of its kind in the UK.

The rejuvenated Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan focuses on raising awareness of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD); ensuring information, advice and training is available to all; improving assessment, diagnosis and support for people with ASD; addressing support needs and ensuring people have access to a good education and career advice and support.

The plans will now be the subject of a 12-week consultation which is currently open and closes 27 May 2016.

Speaking about the announcement, Lesley Griffiths AM said: “An estimated 30,000 people in Wales live with autism yet being on the spectrum should not be a barrier to success.

“These latest Welsh Government developments, aimed at improving existing support structures and creating new ones, will provide the necessary provision, which will no doubt make a big difference to the lives of those who live with autism, as well as their families.”