The Need

Why is this needed?

We acknowledge that autism places immense stress on both the person with autism and their family. Inadequate understanding within our society of autism as a condition results in many sufferers becoming isolated often leading to adverse, prejudicial reactions.

We also know from detailed research that insufficient provision of appropriate care facilities means many parents face no choice other than to become permanent home carers. The impact on the lives and relationships of relatives and the wellbeing of the individual sufferer is huge today. The impact on society if we fail to address this will be even greater tomorrow.

Current residential care facilities for individuals with autism that need it are very limited; rates of autism diagnosis are also climbing sharply. The autism ‘boom’ will soon bring the pressure to a crisis point unless more appropriate services and facilities are provided.

Many individuals with autism and those around them will depend on The Autism Trust for support and to help them reach their full potential. Each Autism Trust facility will be a place where residents can live in a life-long support environment; where they can work or travel to work; and where they, and visiting people with autism of all ages, can access specialist, autism-centred support: from personal skills development, to medical and nutritional advice, to mentoring, vocational and educational guidance.

The first Autism Trust centre will be created to the south or south west of London. It will demonstrate how our approach can work and we will identify and develop an effective structure and demonstrate best practice.

We will then work to support other groups in replicating further comparable environments wherever demand dictates.