UK Autism Appeal to Gordon Brown for an Autism Strategy

Autism Campaigners in the United Kingdom have called on the Prime Minister Elect, Gordon Brown to pledge his support for a national strategy on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and a 10 year plan of action. Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK said: 'Gordon Brown has promised to listen to the people of our country, he must include the voices of parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. We are calling on him to take decisive action on autism as outlined in our Autism Report and deliver on public services in education,health, specialist speech therapy and

respite care.' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting some 587,900 people in the UK. According to researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. Numbers are rising and campaigners are calling for an end to the postcode lottery to public services. They are also asking Gordon Brown to look at the witholding of statements by some councils thereby preventing access to education services for some autistic children. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is calling for action on a raft of issues including building specialist autism schools and initiating an AUTISM COMPACT - a national compact with employers to tackle the issue of access to the labour market for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Backing for the Autism Awareness Campaign UK's call came from leading charities, community organisations and faith groups. Parliamentarians of all parties are also supporting the Autism Awareness Campaign UK by signing an early day motion on autism - EDM 1359 on autism in the House of Commons.There is huge momentum on autism in the Palace of Westminster - parents and people with autism across the UK have been lobbying their MPs urging them to act on the need for public services. Lee Scott MP for Ilford North has also supported the call for these issues to be addressed by Gordon Brown. Scott has championed the cause of autism in the House of Commons in Westminster. He has spoken up for people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in parliament. Lee Scott and Ivan Corea met Tony Blair on 25th April in the House of Commons and presented him with the Autism Report calling for firm action.