We were very concerned that people with autism who do not have mental health problems might be sectioned unfairly and unnecessarily under the Mental Health Act of 2007. We campaigned to change this, and as a result the new Code of Practice for the Mental Health Act includes a chapter which specifically explains the law as it applies to the sectioning of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
We are a member of the Mental Health Alliance, who are monitoring the implementation of the Mental Health Act.
The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
These came into effect in April 2009. They create legal protections for people who lack mental capacity from being deprived of their liberty (eg in hospital) or having inappropriate treatment. We worked with the Department of Health to publicise the implications of the safeguards and produced guides for individuals and carers with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities: