Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to produce a strategy for the transition to adult care of children with autism who have brain tumours, and (2) to review the age classification for when people with autism are considered to be young adults.

The Department has no plans to produce a specific strategy or to review the age at which autistic people are considered to be young adults. However, on 21 July, we published The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026. The new strategy is aimed at tackling the health and care inequalities autistic people face and includes supporting positive transitions into adulthood for autistic children and young people, including those with co-occurring conditions. A copy of the strategy is attached. Health and social care services should adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines when supporting autistic children to adult care.