The National Autistic Society (NAS) has welcomed the establishment of the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support today, but urged that it must consider how to fund support for those with lifelong conditions, such as autism, who are less able to save and pay for their social care.
NAS chief executive, Mark Lever, said;
"As the Government acknowledged today social care reform has been a "talking shop." The Commission represents an important opportunity for action, but one that will wasted if the needs of those with lifelong conditions continue to be sidelined.
"For too long people with autism have been misunderstood and discriminated against by a counter-productive system that often lets people reach crisis point before they get any help.
"This tragic waste of lives and money urgently needs to be addressed by the Commission. It cannot afford to ignore the dramatic cost benefits of investing in autism services, identified by the National Audit Office last year.
"The right support at the right time could make an enormous difference to the lives of people with autism and save the Government millions."
- Research for the National Audit Office in 2009 found if services identified and supported 8% of the local population of adults with autism, cost savings could amount to ??67million per year.
Notes
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
- Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
NAS chief executive, Mark Lever, said;
"As the Government acknowledged today social care reform has been a "talking shop." The Commission represents an important opportunity for action, but one that will wasted if the needs of those with lifelong conditions continue to be sidelined.
"For too long people with autism have been misunderstood and discriminated against by a counter-productive system that often lets people reach crisis point before they get any help.
"This tragic waste of lives and money urgently needs to be addressed by the Commission. It cannot afford to ignore the dramatic cost benefits of investing in autism services, identified by the National Audit Office last year.
"The right support at the right time could make an enormous difference to the lives of people with autism and save the Government millions."
- Research for the National Audit Office in 2009 found if services identified and supported 8% of the local population of adults with autism, cost savings could amount to ??67million per year.
Notes
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
- Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
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