Adults with Autism Bill

This bill creates new legal duties for councils and health services to support adults with autism. It requires local authorities to assess the needs of autistic adults in their area and plan services accordingly. The bill makes councils produce autism strategies that cover housing, employment, social care and health services. It gives autistic adults the right to request an assessment of their needs. The government says this will improve support and reduce waiting times for services. Some critics say the bill does not provide extra funding to pay for these new duties. The bill covers England only. It builds on existing autism guidance by making support a legal requirement rather than optional.

• 1Requires councils to assess autism support needs in their local area
• 2Makes councils create autism strategies covering housing, jobs, and care
• 3Gives autistic adults the right to request a needs assessment
• 4Creates legal duties for councils and health services to provide support
• 5Applies to England only and makes existing guidance legally required