Untold numbers who live with autism

Jan 5 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Research by the NAS shows that 1 in 100 people have autism, although previous research by the Huddersfield team found that it was around 1 in every 200 people in Kirklees.

They were diagnosing around 40 people a year up to the age of 17.

And while 49% of disabled people are employed, only 12% of autistic people have full-time jobs, a statistic that concerns many at the support group.

Mrs Falkingham added: “It is dreadful because only 12% of very able people with autism are working and that is something that is terribly wrong.”

The support group has offered a lifeline for many families since it was set up, while the Kirklees Autism Outreach Service based in Dewsbury is also helping to support many children and adults with autism.

Mrs Falkingham added: “The Kirklees Autism Outreach Service do exemplary work.

“But I feel that education and the information side of the council have always sadly been distant.

“They have taken a step in the right direction as they are reviewing all their services for people with autism and want to meet us to discuss what we think of their proposals.

“That can only be a positive move which I very much welcome.”

In a response to the NAS, Kirklees Council said they were well on the way to developing a database to help identify disabilities.

In addition, two people are now leading the autism strategy in Kirklees in response to the ‘I Exist’campaign.

The Huddersfield Support Group for Autisms hold monthly meetings at Ellerslie Centre behind the Princess Royal Health Centre on the third Friday of every month starting at 7pm.