Autism society lobbys MP (From Western Telegraph)

Autism society lobbys MP

1:00pm Sunday 20th May 2012 in County News

People with autistic spectrum disorders have lobbied local MP Simon Hart to help them get the right support for, and greater understanding of, the condition.

Mr Hart met the local branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS) Cymru and has submitted a list of questions to Pembrokeshire County Council, which he hopes will clear up a few ‘grey areas’ regarding the way it looks after those with ASD.

He said: “I’ve asked for some definitive figures on the number of people with ASD in Pembrokeshire, what it costs the council to provide for those who are diagnosed and a number of other issues such as what support there is for those with autism when they reach 18.”

Lisa Phillips from the NAS Pembrokeshire branch said: “Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition.

Without the right support at the right time, it can have profound, sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said it welcomed Mr Hart’s letter and that a ‘comprehensive’ response would be sent to him early this week.

“In line with the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan for Wales, the county council has a fully functioning, operational stakeholder committee, adult sub-group and ongoing strategy plans for Pembrokeshire which cover many aspects raised by service users.”