North Wales Assembly Member and Chair of the Assembly Cross Party Group on Autism, Mark Isherwood, is delighted that Assembly Members have today voted to support proposals for an Autism (Wales) Bill.
Mr Isherwood is concerned that many people with autism and their families still do not receive the services and support they need to enable them to cope with the challenges of autism and to fulfil their potential, and therefore has long been calling for an Autism Act for Wales.
Today Welsh Conservative Paul Davies’ Autism (Wales) Bill motion was voted through in the Assembly Chamber.
Speaking In the Debate ‘Seeking the Assembly's Agreement to Introduce the Bill’, Mr Isherwood said:
“On January 21st 2015 I led an Individual Members Debate here which called on the Welsh Government to introduce an Autism Act for Wales. Members voted in favour.
“Eight months ago I led a non-partisan debate recognising a “need for specific legislation for autism, and calling on the Welsh Government to bring forward an autism (Wales) bill during the fifth Assembly term”. Its defeat on party lines caused huge distress and I pray that we can move beyond this today, and deliver at last for the Autism community in Wales.
“I therefore thank my colleague Paul Davies for bringing forward proposals today to ensure that autism has a proper statutory identity in Wales and that services for people with Autism meet their real needs.”
He added: “Although Autism is neither mental health nor learning difficulty, people with Autism fall between stools as there is nowhere else to go.
“There are serious concerns that the Welsh Government’s refreshed strategy is not robust enough to make the changes we all want to see unless backed by legislation.
“Placing specific duties on local authorities and health boards would provide greater clarity on the care and support that people with autism can expect.
“On-line resources and training films for front line professionals, and National Autism service flow charts, are all well and good, but the Autism Community will not receive the support they know they need until there is statutory underpinning and accountability and we move beyond consultation to a direct role for professional and Third Sector bodies, and the Autism community, in design, delivery and monitoring.
“I represent a large number of constituents in the Autism community, fighting the system to get the services needed by them or their loved ones.
“Wales needs an Autism Act to meet the needs of children and adults with Autism Spectrum conditions in Wales - and to protect and promote the rights of both adults and children with autism in Wales.”
ENDS