EndocrinologyDavid Cameron Makes Autism Pledge And Backs Autism Bill
Commenting on today"s speech by Conservative Party Leader Rt
Hon David Cameron MP at the Research Autism Conference in London, Lesa Walton
- Care & Development Director of specialist Autism care provider Brookdale
Care - said today:
"Brookdale Care is delighted that David Cameron chose to draw
special attention to the issues surrounding Autistic Spectrum Conditions
today. We hope that Mr Cameron"s speech represents a landmark day for Autism
and its social importance.
"Brookdale Care has long been pressing for what Mr Cameron
described as the need to lift "the fog of confusion that hangs over Autism"
and to ensure that people who can play an active part in society are not
unnecessarily locked out through public misunderstanding of Autism and its
associated conditions.
"Brookdale Care is committed to acting as a catalyst for positive change
and creating a society in which people with Autism are supported, trusted
and respected.
"We agree with Mr Cameron in that further research on Autism
needs to be undertaken so that we can better understand the condition, the
needs of people with the condition and their families and, most importantly,
the services that can assist people. There also needs to be greater
understanding of the services that are available and how they can be accessed
with as little bureaucracy as possible.
"To do this, all organisations - Local Authorities, PCTs,
voluntary organisations, Central Government, independent sector care
providers and GPs - need to work collaboratively and share expertise without
delay. Brookdale Care has been working hard to do this and we welcome efforts
to further integrate our work with other agencies. Such joint working would
particularly assist in improving transition arrangements for people with
Autism, as Mr Cameron rightly noted.
"As Mr Cameron stressed, it is of crucial importance that
people with Autism and their families are listened to because they are the
people that really understand their individual needs, a sentiment that
Brookdale Care shares. We realise how important it is to listen to service
users and always want to offer people choice and control over every aspect of
their lives.
"We hope that Mr Cameron will continue to listen to people
with Autism, their families and others seeking to provide support. We are
pleased that he reaffirmed support for the Autism Bill and hope that the
Conservative Party will continue to place Autism at the top of the policy
agenda."
Brookdale Care