National Autistic Society thank Paul Holmes MP for his help and support

2.44.39pm GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

Paul Holmes MP for Chesterfield, has helped to bring about changes which could transform local support for the thousands of people with autism who feel isolated, ignored and often at breaking point. Along with the National Autistic Society (NAS), Paul Holmes has been calling for dramatic improvements in health, social care and other public services for people with autism through backing the adult autism strategy published on the 3rd March.

Paul also lent his support to the Autism Act which gives the strategy legal force. This means local authorities and NHS services who fail to provide support for people with autism will be breaking the law.

Paul said:

"I have worked with a number of Chesterfield constituents to get better support for autistic members of their family. I entered Parliament in 2001with a commitment to campaigning for those in the autistic spectrum due to my experience as a teacher. I am now the treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, which works with the National Autistic Society to raise awareness amongst parliamentarians about autism."

Paul Holmes MP added; "We have got to tackle the ignorance and inequality routinely experienced by people with autism. This vitally important strategy is the first stage and I'm delighted people with autism have won the recognition they need and deserve. Now, I'd like to see that local services get the support they need to drive these changes and really make a difference on the ground for people affected by the condition."

The three year strategy, Fulfilling and rewarding lives, comes in response to NAS research revealing at least 1 in 3 adults with autism are experiencing serious mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.

Mark Lever, chief executive of the NAS, said; "We are delighted to have the support of Paul Holmes MP. This long awaited strategy is the first step to ensuring adults with autism will be able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as the rest of society. Crucially, the strategy recognises the importance of specialist autism teams which we know are extremely successful at driving improvements in autism support. So now the next step will be to translate the strategy into decisive action at a local level - this momentous opportunity to transform the lives of people with autism and their families must not be wasted."

The delivery plan for the strategy, which will be published by the 31st March 2010 will set out the priorities for the first year and provide support for the NHS and local authorities to deliver the strategy locally.

The adult autism strategy calls for a new programme to develop training with health and social care professional bodies, autism awareness training for all Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers, improved access to diagnosis and guidance to make public services accessible for adults with autism.

For more information on the adult autism strategy visit www.autism.org.uk/dhstrategy