Linda Perham, Labour MP for Ilford North, last week launched the ribbon to be worn in the manner of others for Aids or breast cancer awareness. It was a parent in Ms Perham's constituency with a five-year-old autistic son who founded the first Autism Awareness Year, which is jointly run by the Disabilities Trust and the British Institute for Brain Injured Children.
During a Commons debate last week to inaugurate the awareness campaign, health secretary Yvette Cooper said, 'It is important that we acknowledge that autism is a complex condition that affects not only the individuals with the condition, but their families, siblings, parents, carers, teachers and schoolmates. It is not a simple problem to which there are simple solutions. The Government warmly welcomes Autism Awareness Year.' Dr Stephen Ladyman, Labour MP for South Thanet, said all children should be assessed as toddlers to discover whether they had autistic tendencies. He said, 'The more we intervene early and the more resources we put in, then as day follows night we will get better outcomes. People will need less support later in life and will be able to make a bigger and more viable contribution to supporting themselves.
'That will eventually involve joined-up thinking between social services, health and education authorities, the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that everyone works together to create a uniform service.' The stated objectives of the awareness campaign include enabling parents with children who are autistic to access needed services in their local community; influencing the Government to stop the 'postcode lottery' for education and healthcare therapies; and inspiring local education authorities and NHS Trusts to implement clear strategies to deal with the increase in autism.
, with the aim of raising awareness of the issues surrounding autism and to influence and inspire action to facilitate the changes needed to services and attitudes to autism.
