Anne Main's autism motion gains support of 45 MPs
14th June 2010
A parliamentary motion tabled by St Albans MP, Anne Main, calling for better support for children with autism has gained the support of 45 MPs in just one week.
The motion, tabled in conjunction with the National Autistic Society, is part of the You Need to Know campaign, which calls for urgent action to improve the support available to children with autism and mental health issues.
Anne said:
“I am delighted to support this important campaign. It is vital that children with autism receive the understanding and support they need, and we need to help promote their health and happiness.
“I was a sponsor of the Adults with Autism Bill in the last Parliament, which called for better provision for adults with autism, and led to the first adult autism strategy for England. This campaign picks up where that one left off, highlighting the need for better support for children with autism.
“At present, too many young people are developing preventable mental health problems and finding themselves let down by a system that doesn’t understand them or their needs. It is a tragic waste.”
NOTES:
Full text of Early Day Motion 160:
CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
“That this House recognises that 70 per cent of children with autism develop mental health problems; notes that 10,000 children with autism access child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) every year; further notes that according to new research from the National Autistic Society, CAMHS will not improve the mental health of two thirds of these children; acknowledges the devastating impact this has on children and their families; agrees that CAMHS professionals working with children with autism need to understand autism; congratulates the National Autistic Society for highlighting these issues in its You Need to Know campaign; and urges the Government to take decisive action to improve the support available to children with autism and mental health problems and their families.”
For more on the National Autistic Society’s campaign, see www.autism.org.uk/youneedtoknow