There are thought to be around 88,000 Londoners living with autism. Research suggests that only 16 per cent of autistic adults are in full-time paid work, more than half of autistic people avoid public transport due to fears of disruption, and four in five autistic people feel socially isolated.
Today, the London Assembly called for the Mayor to develop an all-age London-wide autism strategy to be included within his Health Inequalities Strategy.
Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Autism is a highly complex disability, which can make even the most ordinary seeming of activities a challenge, such as taking public transport. The Mayor needs to go much further in ensuring that all of the 88,000 autistic Londoners have access to both the services and support that they desperately require.
“Whilst the Mayor has attempted to make some progress with this, he could be doing substantially more by developing a specific London-wide autism strategy. His current health inequalities strategy fails to understand that a one size fits all solution will never fully work due to the complex and various challenges faced by people living with autism.”
Fiona Twycross AM, who seconded the motion said:
“There are thousands of Londoners with autism who encounter huge challenges when going about their daily lives - whether it’s finding full-time paid work, building a social network or using public transport.
“If we are to continue to strive towards making our capital an accessible place for all its residents and visitors, we need to get rid of these unjust barriers and address the inequalities that neurodivergent Londoners face.
“This is why we are calling upon the Mayor to implement an autism strategy for London. Working alongside local authorities, CCGs and charities, City Hall can play a key part in ensuring that autistic Londoners of all ages and backgrounds can more easily access the support and services they need.”
The full text of the motion is:
Autism is a hugely diverse and complex disability that affects thousands of people across London. It is currently estimated that there are around 88,000 autistic people living in London as well as the much wider group of people who live with, work with or come into contact with autistic people every day. Autism sits under the umbrella of neurodiversity. It is estimated that 10% of the population are neurodivergent. Despite this, autistic people and other neurodivergent people still face massive hurdles and health inequalities in their daily lives.
This Assembly notes the disproportionate challenges autistic people face, with research suggesting only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time paid work, over 50% of autistic people avoid public transport due to fears of disruption and 79% of autistic people feel socially isolated.
This Assembly believes that London should be a place for everyone and the Mayor should do all he can to tear down the unacceptable barriers and health inequalities faced by autistic people and other neurodivergent people across our city.
This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to develop an all-age London-wide autism strategy to be included within his Health Inequalities Strategy, working with Borough Councils, CCGs and others setting out how the right services and support will be provided, that all relevant professionals have the right level of autism understanding, and that our city is accessible to autistic people and open to neurodiversity.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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