Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support autistic people and their families during the covid-19 lockdown.

We recognise the challenges that autistic people and their families face as a result of the response to COVID-19, including, for example, the disruption to their usual activities. We are working with stakeholders and charities to ensure that autistic people and their families are supported appropriately during the pandemic. For example, through the development of autism specific guidance and access to online support and social groups. Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

The Guidance includes information about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people with learning difficulties and/or autism.