On 2 November, the Scottish Government launched its Strategy for Autism, directed towards supporting Scotland's 50,000 people with the condition.

The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland) has been running a campaign, We Exist - A Bill For Autism, A Bill for Scotland, which aims to greatly improve the lives of the estimated 50,000 people in Scotland living with autism. 

We'd like to thank our supporters for all your help and support as the Autism (Scotland) Bill has progressed through Parliament and developed into the Autism Strategy for Scotland. This represents significant progress for people living with autism in Scotland, including our own members, supporters and branches.

The news that the government is addressing the enormous challenges currently faced by the 1 in 100 Scots who have autism is greatly welcomed. It is change at this level that will be crucial in helping create a better world for people with autism and their families.

In addition to £10m funding to help and support people with autism and their families, announced earlier this year, the Strategy for Autism commits to a further £3.4 million investment. Over the next four years, the funding will help to: 

  • recruit local authority autism co-ordinators who will provide information, advice and support for local authorities throughout Scotland
  • support the Scottish Autism Services Network, with a remit to build competence in the workforce to assist post-diagnostic support
  • help people affected by autism to access social care services
  • create a development fund of £1 million per year, for which both local and national organisations can apply
  • develop new drop-in services for people with autism across Scotland.


The Strategy for Autism is good news for Scotland, but there is still a long way to go. NAS surveys have revealed that one-third of people with autism have waited more than two years for a diagnosis, with some people reporting that they have waited more than ten years. In addition:

  • 52% of adults with autism are financially dependent on their families1
  • although many adults with the condition want to work, only 13% are in full-time employment2
  • over half of adults with autism have experienced bullying or harassment since they were 183
  • in the UK, 27% of children with autism have been excluded from school. Children with autism are three times more likely to have mental health problems than other children4.


With your support, we will continue to work and campaign so that all people with autism in Scotland can access the help and support they need to fulfil their potential. 

1Daly, J. (2008). I Exist: the message from adults with autism in Scotland. Glasgow: NAS Scotland
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4Madders, T. (2010) You Need to Know. London: The National Autistic Society