Diolch. Autism is a lifelong developmental condition affecting more than one in 100 children and adults in Wales—an estimated 34,000 autistic people, each affected in a different way. Together with families and carers, there are around 136,000 people in the autism community living in Wales. Our motion recognises a need for specific legislation for autism and calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward an autism (Wales) Bill during the fifth Assembly term.

On 21 January 2015, I led an individual Member’s debate here that called on the Welsh Government to introduce an autism Act for Wales. This was passed, with 29 Members voting in favour, including representatives of all parties, and none voting against, although there were 21 abstentions. The autism community in Wales is looking to us today to go further and provide a clear and resounding message that it expects an autism (Wales) Bill during this Assembly term. Placing specific duties on local authorities and health boards would lead to greater clarity on the care and support that people with autism can expect. Although the autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan for Wales was a world first, autism doesn’t have a statutory identity in Wales, which means that people are often not able to access effective support unless they have associated mental health problems or learning difficulties. There are serious concerns that the Welsh Government’s refresh strategy will not be robust enough to make the changes we all want to see, unless it is backed by legislation. For Wales to reassert itself at the vanguard of autism, it needs an autism Act, giving people with autism the confidence that they will receive the support they need.

The packed November 2014 meeting of the Assembly cross-party autism group voted unanimously in favour of calling for an autism Act.