Department of Health Publishes Consultation Document

Perhaps the event with the biggest potential for many years to really change the lives of people with autism, and their families, was the publication by the Department of Health on 29 April of ‘A Better Future. A consultation on the future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions’. Through Autism Anglia’s involvement of the Autism External Reference Group we were invited to help draft the initial document that was used by Phil Hope MP (Minister of State for Care Services) and the Department to produce the consultation strategy document. Unfortunately we were disappointed to discover that only 30 or 40% of our draft document made it to the final consultation strategy. Although most of the objectives we identified have been included, none of our recommendations have and we think they should be available to be part of the debate.

The consultation process, which started on 29 April, will last for 20 weeks, and will finish on 15 September. Although the consultation process has already started the Department haven’t yet announced if they are going to organise workshops or how they intend to ensure that everybody will be made aware of the consultation.

The Department’s consultation strategy, the original draft produced by our group and a summary are now available to download using the links below. We will keep our website updated with any further news.

I urge you to read the two full versions and take part in the consultation process, whether you agree with our proposals or, perhaps more importantly, if you don’t and have better suggestions. You don’t have to answer all of the questions but if you feel strongly about services to people with autism this is the chance for your voice to be heard.

As the original consultation document can be quite daunting, we have produced a simplified questionnaire relating to all the issues raised for people to fill in and return to us at Autism Anglia's Psychology Department. We will then create a document based on all the views we receive and send it to the government. This is your chance to raise all your concerns in a way that just might help to make a better future for adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions. We hope to hear from you.!

If you have any questions or want further information, please don't hesitate to call our family support team via any method on the right of this page.

Clive Stobbs
Chief Executive

	A Better Future. A consultation on a future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum condition
	Simplified version of consultation document for families affected by Autism
	Simplified version of consultation document for people working with people on the Autistic Spectrum
	ERG Initial Report March 2009. The full original strategy written by the External Reference Group
	ERG initial report (summary). A summary of the full original strategy written by the External Reference Group