Awareness campaigns and more training in new Autism strategy

Plan to be voted on by Tynwald in January

The Government has published a plan to make the Island a more inclusive society for people with Autism Spectrum Condition.

The strategy includes goals of increasing community awareness of the condition, reducing health and social care inequalities and improving the everyday experience for people living with autism and their families.

The strategy will include introducing public awareness campaigns, more training for healthcare staff and guidance to people working in all public services.

Health Minister Lawrie Hooper says achieving the goals will require effort from public, private and third sectors as well as the wider community.

Mr Hooper has thanked people who shared their experiences with the document’s authors.

Tynwald will vote on the strategy in January.

The strategy's authors have used UK figures to estimate there are around 299 people under the age of 20 who have Autism on the Isle of Man. The strategy aims to add a section to the census to find out how many people on the Island have an ASC diagnosis.