New survey to look at social care and learning disabilities

A new survey which will look at access to social care for adults with autism spectrum disorders in England is being carried out by the Department of Social Work and Social Care at the University of Sussex.

The results of the research, which has been commissioned by the Social Care Institute for Excellence and sponsored by the Department of Health, will be used to inform and support the Department of Health’s strategy for adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Carers or adults with a disorder on the autism spectrum are being asked to give their views on care services available.

According to the National Autistic Society: “The view of some third sector representatives and people with autism spectrum disorders is that this group of people often ‘fall through the gaps’ between services, and do not receive assessments or the support they need.”

The survey will aim to find out if this is the case and understand how policy and practice affect access to support.

Last week, the respected medical journal Lancet retracted a research paper by Dr Andrew Wakefield which said there was a link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.