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The strategy is for and about people of any age, with a formal diagnosis of autism, as well as those who identify as autistic.

The new All-Age Autism Strategy has been developed in line with the National Autism Strategy and will focus on 7 priority areas:
•    Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society.
•    Improving autistic children and young people’s access into education, and supporting positive transitions into adulthood.
•    Supporting more autistic people into employment.
•    Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people.
•    Building the right support in the community.
•    Improving support in criminal and youth justice systems.
•    Keeping safe.

It has been developed using the real-life experiences of autistic people, through a process known as co-production, across the two counties.

The Herefordshire and ������ϲ�����ͼ�� Autism Partnership Boards talked to autistic people, family carers, people who work in support services, and anyone else living in our communities with an interest in autism. During the consultation period, there were also workshops, facilitated groups, and a questionnaire for people to fill out.

Bernadette Louise is the Autism Champion from the Autism Partnership Board and Integrated Care System.

Together with Laura Westwood from ������ϲ�����ͼ�� County Council, Bernadette presented the new strategy to the February meeting of the ������ϲ�����ͼ�� Health and Wellbeing Board.

She is very hopeful that this strategy will provide the step change that is needed to support autistic people in the two counties.

Bernadette Louise, ICS Autism Champion, NHS Herefordshire and ������ϲ�����ͼ��, said: “As Autism Champion, I am pleased to be able to share the voices of autistic people and promote the strengths of our community across the two counties. I know from personal experience, and as a professional, the importance of fighting for the rights of autistic people to ensure that we are heard and seen. I believe that we deserve a level playing field and not be disadvantaged by our autism. I am optimistic that this strategy will continue to move things in the right direction for autistic individuals and families like mine.

“This strategy is important, not only because it is a national mandate, but because it is an opportunity to share local people’s lived experiences and follow the needs of autistic people in our area. I hope that this can ensure that short and long-term needs are met by all services, in all sectors for our autistic community.”

Councillor David Ross, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board said: “We’re now ready to share our all-age Autism Strategy for Herefordshire and ������ϲ�����ͼ��, with organisations and providers across the two counties. This strategy provides us with a real opportunity to understand what life is like for an autistic person. Using this strategy as a key tool, we can build on and take those next steps to improve several aspects of daily life, starting with acceptance, and receiving the right support in the community, to support within the world of work.”

Councillor Carole Gandy, Chair of the Herefordshire Health and Wellbeing Board added: “I’m delighted to share our All-Age Autism Strategy for Herefordshire and ������ϲ�����ͼ��. This strategy provides us with a platform to explore what life is like for autistic people in the two counties. Autistic people, carers and professionals worked together in its development, to help ensure it facilitates significant and meaningful change.  It’s important that we continue to improve aspects of daily living for autistic people throughout their lives - right from the start with acceptance, receiving the right support in the community to support within the world of work. We need to remove barriers and discrimination, and increase knowledge.”

You can view the strategy in full by visiting: All-Age Autism Strategy | ������ϲ�����ͼ�� County Council.

Photo Caption: Bernadette Louise, ICS Autism Champion, and Laura Westwood, ������ϲ�����ͼ�� County Council who presented the new strategy to ������ϲ�����ͼ��’s Health and Wellbeing Board in February this year.