Everyone should have the right to a diagnosis, if they genuinely suspect they have AS or Autism and it should arrive as soon as possible. I was fortunate in having to wait three and a half months, especially when I have heard stories of people having to wait for over 12 months for a diagnosis, which isn't the only issue. I had to travel 16 miles south, but sixteen miles is better than 116 miles, as indeed, some people have had to travel to the other end of the UK for a diagnosis.
Social workers and social services both need training on the issue of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, because now, or at some time in the future it is likely they could encounter or have dealings with people on the Autistic Spectrum, or at least family members of those on the Autistic Spectrum. These two issues are now areas of public concern, or at least are to the families and individuals with Autism and AS. If social services and social workers are assigned to support, and to be educated about General Learning Disabilities and Mental Health issues, why not Autistic Spectrum Conditions? There are more Autistic people than there are people with familiar and visible conditions such as Down's Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Fragile X or Cerebral Palsy, so the idea that Autism is a rare condition and isn't worth bothering about any longer just can't be defended or sustained any longer, as it is a weak argument. Some areas in the UK are very good for supporting people with Autism and AS whereas others are frankly appalling. I don't know why that is myself but there you are.
Without any type or kind of support, those with Autism and AS are unable to access 'normal' activities that the rest of society take for granted. At times they and their families can reach crisis point with nowhere to turn for help.
Isolating people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, or anyone else with any other disability, whether it is mental illness, GLD, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida or blindness is discrimination. Social services should still have a Mental Health team and a General Learning Disability team like they do, I agree with that, but they then should create two other teams. The third one should be sensory and physical disabilities, for people who are blind and deaf and have Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida. The fourth should be neurological/developmental disabilities, or as I term them, specific learning disabilities, for people with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy.
Whatever happens in the future, for people with Autism and AS, services are inconsistent. This must change. They must stop being in-between conditions and receive the help, support and understanding they need, on a nationwide, consistent basis in the UK, not on a basis of post code lotteries or outdated, ignorant views of the two conditions. The conditions are now recognised in most schools and in education, and this must occur in society as well.
