Debate contribution: Autism Services

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Robinson on 12 May 2026.

MLA: Mr Alan Robinson
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 12 May 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Autism Services
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5528386

Text

I, like others, very much welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. In the previous Assembly mandate, it was the DUP that brought forward the legislation that was designed to help speed up diagnosis, intervention and support for people with autism. The Autism Act and subsequent amendments were intended to ensure that autistic people in Northern Ireland could access improved services and support throughout their lives, not simply at one stage or another. The creation of the Independent Autism Reviewer was also a direct result of that legislation. The report, which was published earlier this year, makes for concerning reading. It effectively says that families are still being left to piece services together themselves. It identifies weaknesses, including inconsistent reporting, poor data collection, gaps in accountability and a postcode lottery for the services that are available. It also, rightly, notes the absence of a joined-up transition pathway for autistic young people moving into adulthood. We thank our Assembly colleague Mr Gaston for tabling the amendment. It is an issue that many Members will recognise from their constituency casework, with parents telling us, repeatedly, that support falls away once a child leaves school. Young people who may have had some structure and support suddenly find themselves trying to navigate adult services that are difficult to access and, in some cases, simply non-existent. Northern Ireland did not begin diagnosing autism in any significant way until the late 1990s. As a result, we have many adults seeking a diagnosis later in life, after being entirely missed as children. At the same time, we have growing numbers of young children entering adulthood who need ongoing support. Despite that growing demand, the services have not kept pace. Last year, in response to an Assembly question for written answer from my colleague Diane Dodds, the Minister confirmed that more than 4,000 adults were waiting for an autism assessment across our health trusts. Some of those adults wait years for diagnosis, and, because of the unacceptable waiting times, many people feel that they have no option but to pay privately, often at enormous financial cost to them and their families. Even then, many of those people encounter further barriers when trying to access NHS support or medication following a private diagnosis. Adults are left in limbo: diagnosed but with no treatment pathway, no mental health support and no follow-up care. Autistic adults face challenges, particularly around mental health and employment. Autism NI has highlighted figures that show that autistic adults are significantly more likely to experience severe mental health challenges. Ed Austin, the strategic planning and performance group (SPPG) autism lead, said that, while the prevalence rate of autism amongst adults in Northern Ireland is around 1·9%, there is substantial over-representation in mental health services, crisis intervention settings and psychiatric care. We cannot continue treating autism and mental health as entirely separate issues. They are clearly interconnected, and the services out there must truly reflect that. That is why Autism NI's calls for a specialist autism mental health service need to be actioned. Mental health professionals must be trained in autism, and people must be able to access support before they reach that crisis point. Autistic adults also face a stark employment gap. Autistic people have enormous talent, ability and potential, yet, despite many wanting to work, only three in 10 adults are currently in full-time employment. Barriers such as inaccessible recruitment processes, lack of workplace understanding and inadequate support continue to lock too many people out of employment and prevent them gaining the independence that they so richly deserve. I place on record my appreciation of the work of organisations such as Autism NI, which has been pushing for a special mental health service for autism. Its adult autism support service is important and welcome, but those charities cannot and should not be expected to do it alone. What is available in parts of Northern Ireland should not depend on geography or charitable capacity. We need regional adult autism services that provide support, both before and after diagnosis.
Of course, we all recognise the budgetary pressures facing the Executive and the Department, but early intervention and effective support prevent more serious crises —
— developing later and reduce pressure elsewhere.

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

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