Peterborough ‘has a mountain to climb on autism’ - LETTER

Local authorities, in line with the Autism Strategy, have appointed leads with responsibility for identifying local needs and developing action plans.

In isolation this appears to be a positive step forward, however, the overall autism, learning disability and mental health landscape is in dire need of systemic reform.

So, it was great to see our MP Paul Bristow raising the autism profile at parliament and local councillor Chris Burbage for putting forward a motion for autism training for councillors. A fantastic start to what I hope would be a systemic overhaul of local and national policies.

Special education needs and disabilities (SEND) funding for instance is a key area which has direct impact on adulthood outcomes and yet it was disappointing to see local education leaders so helpless, and yet on above average salaries you would expect a certain level of tenacity and strategy which would work in favour of children who have SEND needs.

Adult social care is yet another example where adults who have autism, learning disabilities and/or mental illness are marginalised in terms of policy development or research. The list does go on to housing and infrastructure, from changing places toilets to suitable accommodation and occupation for adults who have autism and or learning disabilities are all interlinked with overall quality of life.

As a frontline mental health professional, I have and continue to raise the key issue of deficits in provision for adults who have autism; there is need for key stakeholders including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning group and Cambridgeshire County Council to develop joint initiatives.

There has for some time now been a precedence set by our neighbouring more affluent city Cambridge, with a team of specialist autism social workers and range of available autism specific services,

Peterborough appears to have a huge mountain to climb. As a MA autism studies student, I conducted some research and found that dissatisfaction amongst parents of young people who have autism is high and training in evidence-based practice amongst professionals is variable.

The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) report identified key health inequalities; year-on-year this programme has raised concerns about premature deaths of people who have learning disabilities.

Change is certainly needed; therefore, I commend our MP’s efforts and ambition in making Peterborough an autism-friendly city. How he achieves this will in many ways be informed by availability of resources both national and local.

Research, policy development, cross-party agreement and national investment in developing strategies which are focused on improving quality of life and prioritising the most vulnerable our society would be the main focus of parent campaigners like myself and many others.

Nazreen Bibi

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