In response to a Scottish Government report looking at the socio-economic impact of autism and the implications for Scotland, we have set out a number of 'calls for action' in key areas.

The Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum project was funded by the Scottish Government through Scottish Autism to take forward key recommendations of the Scottish Strategy for Autism. Led by Professor Tommy MacKay, Professor Martin Knapp, Professor Jim Boyle and Michael Connolly, it provides a foundation for identifying the economic cost of autism, and what interventions lead to positive impacts both for individuals and for the economy as a whole.

We have now put forward a number of practical ‘Calls for Action’ to address some of the fundamental issues raised in the report, and to give recognition that many of these issues have been enduring challenges for autistic people and their families.  These include: putting a higher focus on community-based support services which provide positive mental health and wellbeing for autistic people; introducing greater regulation to govern autism-specific services; adopting a more personalised approach to autism services; life-long stress and anxiety reduction support for autistic people and earlier investment to support their families; an independent review of local authority education policy and practice regarding exclusion of autistic children; and more support to enable autistic people to access and sustain employment.

Alan Somerville, our Chief Executive Officer who retired last month, said:

“The Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum report looks at how we can identify the socio-economic costs of autism which may be avoidable with appropriate support interventions put in place. This was taken forward by carrying out a ‘microsegmentation’ of the autism spectrum, which is wide and varied, looking at its co-occurring conditions.

“While acknowledging the concerns of “classifying” autistic people, we support this approach as it helps us better understand how to best resource autism services. Developing a conceptual map of the autism spectrum gives us an analytical tool for understanding relative costs of service provision, where longer term savings can be generated through investment in appropriate services and early interventions.

“In response to the report we have set out a series of ‘Calls for Action’, covering key areas where there have been enduring challenges for autistic people and their families, often for decades.  We advocate preventative community-based support services that are valued by autistic people and their families and that can demonstrate a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.

“Without systematic change and a contemporary understanding of autism, there will be a negligible impact on the quality of life of autistic people. Therefore to make the financial investment made in this research worthwhile, we look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government to inform policy, practice and service structures to deliver much needed change for autistic individuals and their families.”

The full Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum Report can be read here: http://www.gov.scot/publications/2018/03/3640

Scottish Autism’s Service Provider’s Response to the Microsegmentation Report 2018 can be read here: https://www.scottishautism.org/sites/default/files/100647_sa_microsegmentation_report_web.pdf