Commenting on todays speech by Conservative Party Leader Rt Hon David Cameron MP at the Research Autism Conference in London, Lesa Walton Care & Development Director of specialist Autism care provider Brookdale Care said today

“Brookdale Care is delighted that David Cameron chose to draw special attention to the issues surrounding Autistic Spectrum Conditions today. We hope that Mr Camerons speech represents a landmark day for Autism and its social importance.

“Brookdale Care has long been pressing for what Mr Cameron described as the need to lift “the fog of confusion that hangs over Autism” and to ensure that people who can play an active part in society are not unnecessarily locked out through public misunderstanding of Autism and its associated conditions.

“Brookdale Care is committed to acting as a catalyst for positive change and creating a society in which people with Autism are supported, trusted and respected.

“We agree with Mr Cameron in that further research on Autism needs to be undertaken so that we can better understand the condition, the needs of people with the condition and their families and, most importantly, the services that can assist people. There also needs to be greater understanding of the services that are available and how they can be accessed with as little bureaucracy as possible.

“To do this, all organisations Local Authorities, PCTs, voluntary organisations, Central Government, independent sector care providers and GPs need to work collaboratively and share expertise without delay. Brookdale Care has been working hard to do this and we welcome efforts to further integrate our work with other agencies. Such joint working would particularly assist in improving transition arrangements for people with Autism, as Mr Cameron rightly noted.

“As Mr Cameron stressed, it is of crucial importance that people with Autism and their families are listened to because they are the people that really understand their individual needs, a sentiment that Brookdale Care shares. We realise how important it is to listen to service users and always want to offer people choice and control over every aspect of their lives.

“We hope that Mr Cameron will continue to listen to people with Autism, their families and others seeking to provide support. We are pleased that he reaffirmed support for the Autism Bill and hope that the Conservative Party will continue to place Autism at the top of the policy agenda.”