Member's statement: World Autism Month
Member's statement by Mr Cathal Boylan on .
- MLA
- Mr Cathal Boylan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 1 April 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- World Autism Month
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4876496
Read the official Assembly record
Text
As chair of the all-party group (APG) on autism, I mark the beginning of World Autism Month today and the eighteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day tomorrow. The aim of the month and the day is to focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism by fostering worldwide support. As chair of the APG, I commend and put on record my thanks to the individuals with lived experience of autism, the groups that we meet that advocate for people with autism and, in particular, Autism NI for the work that it does in ensuring that there is increased understanding of the challenges and opportunities that autism presents. There has been progress in recent years on autism services. The appointment of the independent autism reviewer ensures that monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the autism strategy and reviewing the adequacy of the services that are provided to autistic people, their families and carers across Departments, public bodies and the health and social care sector are front and centre. However, the real-life stories that we as MLAs hear and the engagement that we as an APG have had highlight the fact that there is much more to be done. The recent 'Spotlight' programme 'I Am Not Okay' put a focus on the need to support young people with autism and their families. Parents should not have to broadcast their everyday lived experience in a bid to get help. Moreover, statistics show that only 21·7 % of autistic people are in employment, despite autistic people having the ability, skills and will to be employed. In that regard, I commend Caleb's Cause NI and others that continue to push for post-19 services. The issues facing people with autism and their families are cross-cutting. As chair of the APG, I will continue to implore the Health, Education and Economy Ministers to work together to develop supports, create opportunities and increase awareness of autism. As a society, we all must do more in relation to autism services and the inclusion of people with autism in everyday life.
349 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.