Towards an Autism Strategy for Scotland launched

A draft proposal called Towards an Autism Strategy for Scotland has been launched by minister for public health Shona Robison, detailing what the Scottish government needs to do, alongside professionals and carers, to meet the needs of people on the autistic spectrum.

Ms Robison noted that it is necessary to ensure people are fully integrated into society through the provision of access to support in education, social care, healthcare and employment.

“Our long-term vision needs a major shift in society’s attitudes towards autism. This will only be achieved through partnership working between central and local government and the independent sector,” she remarked.

Some of the recommendations include the commissioning of research by the Autism Spectrum Disorder Reference Group to examine the quality of life for people supported by autism service providers, with findings used to inform official guidance.

This comes as Specialisterne Scotland – an organisation set up by Community Enterprise in Scotland, the National Autistic Society Scotland and the Autism Research Centre – offers 12 trainees with the condition the opportunity to work in Glasgow, testing software for the next six months.