At the very heart of these proposals is to ensure that the provision is there to meet the needs of the 34,000 autistic people in Wales, and also to ensure that autism is given its own statutory identity. The intention of this Bill is to secure consistent and continued provision of all autism services across Wales. At present, the current autism strategic action plan is only in place until 2020, and so there is no certainty of any continued prioritisation of the provision of autism services beyond that point.

We know that in both England and Northern Ireland, there is legislation requiring those Governments to publish an autism strategy for adults, and for adults and children respectively, and I hope that Wales will join both of these countries in establishing legislation on a cross-party basis that works to deliver real outcomes for the autism community. By creating a legal requirement to publish an autism strategy via the proposed autism Bill, it will help to ensure a level of permanence in the delivery of care and support services for people living with autism across the country. This proposed Bill would fundamentally at its core ensure a continued and dedicated focus on the needs of people with autism, regardless of the colour of Welsh Governments in the future. People living in Wales with autism can be sure that regardless of the outcome of Assembly elections, the provision of autism services will continue to remain a solid priority for any incoming Welsh Government. In effect, this Bill will depoliticise the provision of autism services and ensure that it will no longer be a political issue.

I’m sure all Members will agree that in order to provide effective services, health boards and local authorities need to know the extent of demand in their own local areas. I completely accept that diagnosing autism can be very complex and that it will involve multi-agency and specialist assessments that must be carried out by experts in their field of work. Currently, under the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014, local authorities and health boards are required to produce population assessments to assess the levels of need for care and support services in their areas. I understand that one of the core themes of these population assessments is learning disability, which should include autism. However, there are very real concerns that there is a risk that the distinctive needs of people with autism could be subsumed within the broader category of learning disabilities, meaning that the needs of autistic people go unmet once more. Therefore, this Bill is seeking to establish practices, including the collection of reliable and relevant data, on the numbers and needs of autistic children and adults, so that local areas can plan and co-ordinate the delivery of services accordingly.

It’s essential that clear pathways to the diagnosis of autism are established in local areas, and that those affected by autism have access to clear, understandable information about pathways. I sincerely hope that the Welsh Government will publish a best practice diagnostic assessment pathway, including how to access assessment as well as expected waiting times between each stage of the process. It’s so important that parents and families across Wales understand the entire process of care from start to finish, so that they know exactly what they can expect at each stage, and so they are aware of what support is available.

This Bill, if given leave to be introduced, would enable health boards across Wales to be accountable in law for the provision of a clear pathway for adults and children.