Our charity has joined Ambitious About Autism, Autistica, Autism Action and Autism Alliance UK to respond to the Government’s final report of the independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.
 

Our joint response

“An independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism has found no evidence that autism is being overdiagnosed, yet most of the news coverage suggests otherwise.

“For autistic people and their families, media headlines over the last few days have been infuriating, upsetting, and far removed from the reality of their lives.

“The report identified a far more pressing truth: that autistic people are being systematically failed by the public services around them.

“The real crisis is not about diagnosis rates, but about the harm caused by inadequate support. This is leading to mental health crises, self-harm, and suicide. We, who collectively support thousands of autistic people, see this every day.

“We support the long-term vision of a needs-led system with diagnosis. But the current reality is wholly unacceptable with growing restrictions on access to diagnosis, cuts to care and support, and exclusion from education and employment.

“We call on the Government to set out a plan to protect autistic people most at risk while a needs-led system is built. This should be in addition to the promised mental health strategy.

“As leading autism charities we are united in standing up for autistic children, young people and adults. We are ready to support this vital work, but it must be shaped by autistic people and their families if their trust is to be rebuilt.”
 

Further information

Read our response to the review’s final report.
Read our response to the review’s interim report.
Read our response to the announcement of the review.