Debate contribution: Autism Mental Health Services

Debate contribution by Ms Cheryl Brownlee on 20 January 2025.

MLA

Ms Cheryl Brownlee

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Autism Mental Health Services

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4744953

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I welcome the motion and give it my full, heartfelt support. It addresses a deeply significant issue: the urgent need for a specialist autism mental health service in Northern Ireland. Autism affects more than 35,000 individuals in our community, including 15,000 school-age children. Many more adults do not have a formal diagnosis. Those figures, which were revealed in the 2021 census, reflect one of the highest rates of autism in the UK. Behind those numbers are real lives, stories of incredible resilience, families striving to navigate complex systems and, too often, tales of needs that go unmet. The situation is alarming. Our mental health services are simply not equipped to address the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals. Waiting lists for autism assessments stretch endlessly, with some adults waiting over 300 weeks for a diagnosis. Those prolonged delays hinder access to essential support, leaving individuals and families to face their struggles without the help that they so desperately need. Mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation, often go unrecognised or are just put down to autism. Our systems are not prepared to provide the timely, specialised interventions that could make all the difference. Since the introduction of the Autism (Amendment) Act 2022 — the Bill was sponsored by my Assembly colleague Pam Cameron — we, of course, have seen some positive steps in the right direction with the appointment of the independent autism reviewer, but we are all well aware that there is so much more to do. The autism strategy envisaged a society focused on inclusion and collaboration, a society that not only listens to but truly respects and supports autistic individuals and their families. However, for that vision to become a reality, we must see urgent, actionable change. The strategy emphasised the critical need for constant diagnostic pathways, improved collaboration across Departments and genuine co-production with those who have lived experience. Those measures are not just desirable but absolutely essential for fostering understanding and compassion. At the heart of the issue are the voices of those with lived experience. Every day, we hear poignant stories from families and individuals who struggle to access the appropriate support at the right time and in the right place. The toll that that takes on their mental health is heartbreaking. One particular story has touched my heart. It is of a young man whose autism remained unacknowledged throughout his childhood. Without support in school, higher education or early in his career, he faced profound mental health challenges. The isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed him to the edge — to a suicide attempt. It was not until a caring counsellor, who was outside the formal system, recognised the signs of autism that he finally found his way to a diagnosis. For him, it was not just a label; it provided clarity, a sense of self-understanding and a turning point in his life. That story powerfully illustrates the urgent need for mental health professionals who are not only trained but confident and compassionate in recognising and supporting our autistic individuals. It shines a light on the gaps in our system. Recently, during a Public Accounts Committee inquiry, we discussed how A&E services often become a default crisis point for mental health emergencies. For autistic individuals, the sensory overload of an A&E environment can be overwhelming and distressing. Staff members, sadly, often lack the necessary training, leaving patients and staff in difficult positions. I have heard too many accounts of autistic individuals being left in corridors or unsuitable wards that lack private spaces to endure indignities that should never occur. In our all-party group discussions, we have identified many practical solutions to enhance those critical services. One proposal is the establishment of a register of trained staff who specialise in autism to ensure that those with the skills and dedication offer much-needed support to autistic individuals where and when required. Many members of our passionate workforce already have that training and are eager to help. By harnessing their expertise, we can greatly improve the experience of autistic individuals and their families in our service. This obviously holds a personal place in my heart. As a parent, I am privileged to witness both the beauty and the challenges that autism brings to our lives every day. Autistic individuals are remarkable.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

725 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:51 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification