I contacted my MP, Harpreet Uppal MP (Labour), through the National Autistic Society website.

Here is her reply.

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Dear Steve

Thank you for contacting me.

As your local representative, Autism Awareness Month gives me the chance to learn more about the barriers people with autism face and how I can best support constituents living with autism. I pay tribute to the National Autistic Society for their work in creating a society where autistic people are supported, understood and empowered.

I would like to see an improvement in the understand (sic) and acceptance of autism and for public sector services to become more autism-inclusive.
I understand that autistic people face particular barriers to employment, which is reflected in a poor overall employment rate. I would like to see all forms of neurodiversity supported in the workplace, so I am pleased that the Government is working to promote awareness of neurodiversity amongst employers and to improve inclusivity in workplace practices through a major independent review.

For children and families, the SEND system is creaking after years of neglect. It is a terrible situation faced by too many children in the system and it must improve. I want to see the link between background and opportunity broken, which means giving children with special education needs and disabilities the very best start in life.

I am pleased that the Government has provided a £1 billion uplift for SEND and alternative provision funding as a step to reform the system. For autism specifically, £4.3 million has been made available to improve services for autistic children. NHS England is also working with research organisations to explore evidence-based models that support improved outcomes for those waiting for an autism assessment.

More widely, I welcome the new Mental Health Bill which is progressing through Parliament. The Bill will make it illegal to detain an autistic person in a mental health hospital for longer than 28 days. Autistic people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and to be supported in living fulfilling lives in their community.

Thank you again for writing to me about this issue.

Yours sincerely, 

Harpreet Uppal MP

Member of Parliament for Huddersfield

F18, Media Centre, 7 Northumberland Street, Huddersfield HD1 1RL