Services for People with Autism

Martin Whitfield Excerpts

Thursday 21st March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab)]

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate. I also congratulate the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Dame Cheryl Gillan) on all the work that she has done on this issue.

The hon. Gentleman is making some important points, but does he share my annoyance about the fact that, unfortunately, autism seems to be one of those invisible disabilities? Many parents talk about the way in which others judge their children, saying that they are just being naughty. That failure of understanding goes to the heart of the problem faced by autistic children and adults, whose contribution to our communities is enormous, individual and highly important. We should be able to open our eyes to all the strengths that they bring to us, and make a space in which they can be understood through the services that the hon. Gentleman is talking about.

[Huw Merriman]

The hon. Gentleman has put it beautifully. As he probably knows, a recent survey showed that 50% of autistic individuals and families were scared to go out, and did not go out, because they were worried about how they would be judged. That isolation is a huge challenge for us.