About autism
Autism legislation
Autism Act 2009
The Autism Act 2009 was the first ever disability-specific law in England.
The Act did two key things:
- the first was to put a duty on the Government to produce a strategy for adults with autism, which was published in March 2010
- the second was a duty on the Government to produce statutory guidance for local councils and local health bodies on implementing the adult autism strategy by the end of 2010. This guidance was published in December 2010
What is the adult autism strategy?
The adult autism strategy is the Government's plan to make sure that adults with autism get the help that they need. This might be things like help to get a job or help at home.
The adult autism strategy explains the different things that the Government will do to make sure adults with autism get the help that they need. The strategy also tells local councils and health services how they can help people with autism.
The first ever strategy for adults with autism in England - entitled Fulfilling and rewarding lives, was published in 2010 with a commitment to review this strategy three years later.
In 2013, the Government asked for feedback from adults with autism, parents, carers and professionals about how well the 2010 strategy had been implemented so far.
The new strategy - Think Autism, was published in April 2014.
What is the Autism Act statutory guidance?
The statutory guidance has been published to ensure the implementation of the adult autism strategy. This guidance tells local authorities, NHS bodies and NHS Foundation Trusts what actions should be taken to meet the needs of people with autism living in their area.
The Government published a new statutory guidance in March 2015, which replaced an existing guidance from 2010.
Resources
- Information on Employment for people with Autism (NAS website)
- Getting Older with Autism (NAS website)
- Useful resources for people on the autism spectrum (NAS website)
More useful links
Websites
National Autistic Society Northern Ireland Tel: 028 9068 7066 Email: northern.ireland@nas.org.uk Website: http://www.autism.org.uk | National Autistic Society Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 2299 Email: nas@nas.org.uk Website: http://www.nas.org.uk |
Autism NI Tel: 028 9040 1729 Email: info@autismni.org Website: www.autismni.org | Autism Network NI Tel: 028 92611851 Email: derek.dogherty9@btinternet.com Website: www.autismnetworkni.org.uk |
Peat Tel: 028 9032 4882 Email: info@peatni.org Website: www.peatni.org | Autism Initiatives |
Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Southern Health and Social care Trust
- Western Health and Social Care Trust
Film clips on autism
- Autism: National Autistic Society - (Morning commute)
- Autism: National Autistic Society - (Socially awkward)
- Autism: National Autistic Society - (Misunderstanding)
- Autism: National Autistic Society - (Crash)
- Autism: National Autistic Society - (Train film)
Links to specific topics relating to Autism
- ADHD and Autism
- Behaviour Guidelines
- Communication and Interaction
- Environment and surroundings: making them autism-friendly
- High Functioning autism and Asperger syndrome: What is the difference
- Mental Health and Autism
- Asperger syndrome
- Obsessions, repetitive behaviours and routines
- The sensory world of the autistic spectrum
- Understanding Behaviour
- Information for parents and carers