More than 10,000 autistic adults not receiving social care they need

More than 10,000 people are not receiving the care they are legally entitled to, putting them at risk of breakdown, admission to mental health hospitals and worsening life chances, according to a new report from the Autism Alliance.

The Autism Alliance’s Breaking Point report found that over three quarters of autistic adults reach crisis point before social care is provided, leaving them at risk of harm or admission to mental health units.

Lack of government funding means the Care Act 2014, which states that eligible adults must receive support, is being broken every day.

Among the report’s other findings are:

• Autistic adults wait over two years for social care rather than 8 to 10 weeks recommended
• The number of autistic people in mental health hospitals is higher now than in 2015
• The government could close gap in care by investing £70m to £140m annually, less than one percent of total social care funding

Failures in care mean autistic adults face an unacceptable double disadvantage, exacerbating existing inequalities in life expectancy, health and quality of life, the Autism Alliance said.

The report is based on an audit by economists Cordis Bright and surveys of autistic adults and their families. It found 77% of autistic adults reach crisis point before care is provided.

The report called on the government to close the funding gap either through additional investment, or by shifting existing funding from crisis inpatient services to the right support in the community. It also recommends closer partnerships between local authorities, local NHS services, care providers, the Care Quality Commission and mental health services to address barriers preventing autistic people and their families accessing specialist care and support.

Adam Micklethwaite, director of the Autism Alliance, said: ‘The human cost of the failure in social care is unacceptable, and autistic adults and their families are at breaking point. Government must act to end this human rights injustice.

‘Investment is vital, but we also need reform: better understanding of autism and more support for specialist care providers. The principles of good care for autistic people would improve care for everyone, and the voices of autistic adults and their families should be a guide to wider reform of social care.’

Sir Robert Buckland, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Autism and the APPG on Learning Disability, said: ‘Despite many commitments to improve the lives of autistic people, plans to build the right support in communities are not working. Autistic people should not have to reach crisis before support is provided and should never be detained in mental health hospitals.

‘The injustices faced by autistic people and people with a learning disability need to end. The government should urgently consider its plans, and all parties should, as a priority, set out how they can make real progress on this in the next Parliament: which must include plans for a new Mental Health Bill which should have been part of this year’s King’s Speech.’

Image: Autism 25

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