Autism sufferers 'written off' by govt

Tuesday 13th October 2009

People with autism are being condemned to a life or financial hardship or even poverty by the government, a charity claimed today.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) said one third of autism sufferers are without a job or without benefits.

New research by the charity shows the extent to which those affected are forced to rely on family and friends for the basic means to live.

For some, these conditions can last for decades, NAS said.

Mark Lever, the group's chief executive, said people with autism had explained how their experiences of the employment and benefits system had been marred by "anxiety, confusion, delays and discrimination".

"It is absolutely vital they are able to access the right help and services if seeking employment and are supported financially when they cannot work," he continued.

"It is scandalous, therefore, that thousands of people with this serious, lifelong and disabling condition are being consigned to poverty by a complex and counter-productive benefits system. We will keep campaigning until the government's 'no-one written off' pledge is a reality for people with autism."

The vast majority of the 300,000 working-age adults with autism want to work Mr Level explained, but they are held back by a "woeful" lack of understanding about the condition at Jobcentre Plus.

At the start of the Conservative party conference last week David Cameron unveiled plans to shift 50,000 incapacity benefit claimants on to jobseeker's allowance.

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