The integrated autism service and autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan final report, commissioned by the Welsh Government, was published at the end of March. This said that,

'whilst the IAS can work with parents and carers it cannot work directly with children', with consequent reliance upon education services to provide support following diagnosis, but, quote,

‘there are continuing weaknesses in education provision for children with autism’ and

'also concerns that this means little support for parents and carers in the home'.

Reponses to their survey from parents and carers indicated continuing gaps and weakness in post-diagnostic support, with almost half reporting they had no support after diagnosis. How, therefore, do you respond to the concern raised with me by a charity supporting children of families in north Wales—children with autism in families in north Wales—that carers often have to give up their careers and full-time work due to long-term caring responsibilities and family stress, with financial worries caused adding to the stress of an already very stressful family environment?