DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by The Government News Network on 8 May 2008
- Research will
look at numbers of adults with autism and transitions challenges
for young people -
Care services Minister Ivan Lewis today announced £500,000 for
Government research into the numbers of adults with autism and
their specific transitions needs. This prevalence study will
inform the first ever Government strategy on adults with autism
and Asperger's syndrome, due to be published next year.
The number of children with autism is as high as 1 in 100
(according to Prof. Baird's 2006 study) and this prevalence
study will give us a more accurate picture of how many adults have
the condition. Part of the new research will focus on the period
of transition to adult life and will inform service planning for
adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This will be led
by Prof. Baird and it will examine the lessons and challenges in
the transition process and focus on areas such as mental health,
social care, housing and further education needs.
Ivan Lewis said:
"Adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome are too
often abandoned by services with their families left to struggle
alone. Equally, people are frequently missaprorpriately referred
to either mental health or learning disability services
"This study will inform the development of a national
strategy designed to ensure that adults with autism and
Asperger's syndrome are supported to have full lives."
"We still don't know enough about autism, but we do
know that left unsupported, it can have a devastating impact on
those who have the condition and their families. One of the key
gaps in our knowledge is simple - we don't know how many
people have the condition in any given area. That is why I am
ordering a study to address this. "
The prevalence study will interrogate existing data to record the
number of adults with Asperger's syndrome and high
functioning autism. There will also be an additional part to the
study on the number of people with autism who have more complex
needs and learning disabilities. The research will provide good
epidemiological information in terms of prevalence and the
characteristics and problems of this group. It will be taken
forward by Prof. Brugha at the University of Leicester, in
conjunction with a team of research experts including Research
Autism and Prof Baron-Cohen of the Autism Research Centre, and
will report in 2009.
This work, including research into transitions, is being
commissioned and funded jointly with the Department for Children,
Schools and Families. An autism expert will be appointed within
the Department of Health to take both studies forward.
The National Autistic Society recently called for a prevalence
study into the numbers of adults with the condition, as their
recent survey found that 63% of adults with autism feel they
don't get enough support. This study will address this
problem by informing service providers who can find it hard to
plan to meet the needs of adults when they do not have access to
good information on the number of people in their area and their needs.
Mark Lever, chief executive of The National Autistic Society said;
"We warmly welcome today's announcement from the
Department of Health. Through our I Exist report, adults with
autism told us they feel isolated and ignored, we are therefore
delighted that the government has listened and is taking action .
The Government has committed to establishing an autism specialist
post and to undertake research into the number of adults with
autism. We hope this will mark a turning point in the way that
the needs of people with autism are recognised and met."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The transitions research will focus on young peoples'
experiences, including their mental health needs, their social
care and housing needs, further education needs, opportunities for
leisure and access to transport, and the ease of access to
services. Transition planning was highlighted in the Children and
Maternities Nationa l Service Framework and we wish to identify
good practice as well as barriers experienced in accessing provision.
2. For both parts of this research, the teams to bring together a
number of researchers and practitioners who are highly eminent in
the field of autism and who have already made a substantial
contribution to our understanding and treatment of individuals
with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).