Since being elected as your MP I have spent time visiting parents who have autistic or Asperger’s-impacted children. Seeing first-hand the commitment of the families and how difficult it is for parents to get the support that they need has deeply affected me. I am determined to help where I can, promoting awareness of Autism.
I have spent a period as Chair of the APPG for Autism but have recently (Oct 2022) had to resign from this post after being made a Government Minister.
During my time on APPG for Autism, I was tasked with writing and publishing a report to highlight the barriers for autistic children in accessing education.
Awareness for Autism and Autistic spectrum disorders has increased dramatically in the past decade. However, there is still a long way to go. Below I have highlighted my work on achieving progress on these important issues, whilst outlining the improvements the Government has made in the brief time I have been your MP, and highlighting local organisations that do vital and inspiring work.
For World Autism day in April 2016, I spoke in Parliament, highlighting that autism affects people and their families in different ways. I referenced that those with autism, who have such unique and differing needs, do not fit into the tick-box system of many government agencies. I asked the Minister whether he can find some way of ensuring that anybody who works in these sectors has autism training. Additionally, I also took the time to highlight the unwavering commitment of the two schools specifically catering to Autistic children in the area. My full speech can be found via the following link:
https://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/news/huw-speaks-autism
On the 13th of June 2016, I joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism ('APPG for Autism') and the National Autistic Society ('NAS') on a visit to Feltham Young Offenders Institute to view their new autism-friendly wing and understand what the prison service is doing to rehabilitate prisoners and young offenders with autism. On the following day, I spoke in the House of Commons to lobby ministers to do more, via the Justice Bill, on this front. My question can be found via the following link:
On October 18th 2016 I attended the launch of Ambitious about Autism’s new report entitled “When will we learn”. Alongside many other MPs I signed a pledge that aims to improve the education system for those with Autism. The pledge had four parts, with one stating that I will “ensure the rights of children with autism are respected by preventing illegal exclusions and supporting school governors to fulfil their legal responsibility to children with autism”. The other points of this pledge and details of how to support this campaign can be found via the following link:
www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/whenwillwelearn
As an officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Autism, on 31st October 2016 I joined 100 MPs attending the launch of a new National Autistic Society report and campaign in Parliament. This highlighted the shockingly low levels of employment among autistic people and outlined what employers and the Government can do to close the autism employment gap. I will be helping to recruit more autistic young people to our great local businesses. A full account of that day, and my thoughts on this next step is available via the following link: https://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/news/huw-merriman-mp-supports-charitys-call-close-autism-employment-gap
Additionally, I have also spent time with important local organisations such as Little Gate Farm in Beckley, who have programmes dedicated to those with ASD (Link below) to gain the skills which will be attractive to an employer. These organisations are inspiring, and I was grateful to have witnessed first-hand the difference they make in Autistic people’s lives. The issue for Autistic people of transitioning to adulthood and the workforce is often forgotten, and one that I am keen to raise, using this organisation as an example of a successful programme. Positively, the Government has launched a comprehensive Adult Autism Strategy and we are moving towards delivering the improvements in care for those with ASD.
Additionally, for children, the Government is giving continued funding of £1.5 million to the Autism Education Trust to provide autism training to teachers. This ranges from basic awareness training and practical knowledge through to more advanced training for school leaders. Since 2012, the Trust has arranged training for around 50,000 education staff.
Providing greater awareness of Autism is an issue that I have been greatly involved with since you elected me as your MP in May 2015. I will continue to fight for this, using my role as an officer in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Autism to aid the help I am able to give individuals, and the families of people with Autism.
Other useful links are below:
The January 2016 Government progress report showing what has already been done and the further work needed since the 2014 publication 'Think Autism' may be of interest to you:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-report-on-strategy-for-adults-with-autism
The Governments proposals to deliver better outcomes for individuals and their families, alongside more information can be found via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/475155/Gvt_Resp_Acc.pdf
A petition launched on 27 October calling on the Government to take decisive action to double the number of autistic people in work can be found here: www.Bit.ly/autism-employment-gap
Information about the National Autistic Society can be found via the following link: http://www.autism.org.uk/
More information on the National Autistic Society’s Too Much Information campaign can be found here: www.autism.org.uk/TMI
The National Autistic Society campaign movie can be found via the following link: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/tmi/employment.aspx
Information on local charity Autism Sussex can be found via the following link: http://www.autismsussex.org.uk/
Information on local charity Families for Autism can be found via the following link: http://www.familiesforautism.com/
Information on Little Gate Farm can be found via the following link: http://littlegatecarefarm.co.uk/
Information on the charity Brainwave can be found via the following link: https://www.brainwave.org.uk/
Information on the charity Child Autism can be found via the following link: http://www.childautism.org.uk/
Information on the Autism awareness charity Autism Independent UK can be found via the following link: http://www.autismuk.com/
Information on the charity Autism Wishes can be found via the following link: http://www.autismwishes.co.uk/
Information and links to various other Autism charities can be found via the following link to the Autism Alliance website: http://www.autism-alliance.org.uk/about-us/our-members
Information on ASD can be found via the following link:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autistic-spectrum-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Additional Sources:
Students with Autism
Guide to Helping Kids with Autism Sleep Better
Autism Resource Center
Creating an Autism Friendly Home
Autism Support Network Resources
Moving with Kids with Autism
30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month
Traveling with Kids with Autism
