1. N. Ireland Cross-departmental Autism Strategy (2013 – 2020) and Action Plan (2013 – 2015)

2. Building on Previous Action  Building on previous action and some success  But Lots More To Be Done!

3. Autism Act (NI) 2011  DHSSPS leads on development of a cross - departmental Autism Strategy.  Needs of people with autism ‘throughout their lives’  Needs of families and carers of people with autism.  Contain proposals for promoting an autism awareness campaign.  Health Trusts to provide data on the prevalence of autism.

4. Pre-consultation  Five engagement events – each Health Trust area – facilitated by voluntary sector organisations.  Online questionnaire.  Two Children and Young People engagement events.

5. Content of Draft Consultation Document  Section 1 - Vision, Values Aims and Objectives.  Section 2 – Existing Provision – Health, Education, Employment and Learning, Social Security Benefits, Housing and Justice.  Section 3 – Strategic Priorities.  Section 4 – Implementation – Governance Structure, Monitoring and Reporting.  Section 5 – The Action Plan.

6. Strategic Priorities / Themed Sections in Action Plan  Awareness  Accessibility  Children, Young People and Family  Independence, Choice and Control  Transitions  Employment and Employability  Accessing Justice  Being part of the Community  Participation and Active Citizenship

7. Strategic Priorities 1.Partnership working across Government; 2.Awareness among general public; 3.Eliminate the barriers that people with autism face; 4.Access to information; 5.Access to support for children/young people/families; 6.Options for independence; 7.Transform the process of transitions for people with autism;

8. Strategic Priorities 8.Improve access / support to sustain employment; 9.Improve access to training and life long learning 10.Ensure that people with autism are treated equally within law; 11.Improve access to sports, arts leisure; 12.Increase opportunities to influence policy and programmes for government; 13. Improve interaction b/w all sectors to promote social inclusion.

9. Public Consultation  Public consultation period: 3 December 2012 - 15 March 2013.  Responses received:  120Online Questionnaire;  46 Freestyle;  7 Regional Public Consultation Engagement Events.

10. High Level Response to Consultation Awareness – promote positive aspects and attributes of people with autism - range of training basic awareness to specialist bespoke. Adults – access to employment, housing, social security benefits etc. Education – more specific details and actions. Health – more specific details and actions. Family and carer support services – respite / short breaks, housing needs, training, transition planning. Joint working – more detail on joint working. Funding and Investment – from all Departments.

11. Looking Forward  Departments will continue reviewing and evaluating feedback to impact against draft consultation document.  Draft Strategy / Action Plan will be subject to approval of our Health Minister and the NI Executive.  Final draft Autism Strategy / Action Plan published.