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Legislation and Policies on Autism

This section contains information about some of the legisation and policy on autism and related issues published by governments within the United Kingdom.

If you know of any other publications we should list on this page please email info@informationautism.org

Please note that we are unable to supply publications unless we are listed as the publisher. However, if you are a UK resident you may be able to obtain them from your local public library, your college library or direct from the publisher.


England

  • Adult autism strategy: statutory guidance.  (2015). London: HMSO. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF document). This guidance tells public services what actions should be taken to meet the needs of people on the autism spectrum living in their area.
  • Autism Act 2009.  London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which put a duty on the Government to produce a strategy for adults on the autism spectrum in England and to produce statutory guidance for local councils and local health bodies on implementing that strategy.
  • Care Act 2014. London: HMSO. Read Full Item (websitepage) | EasyRead. Act which builds on recent reviews and reforms, replacing numerous previous laws, to provide a coherent approach to adult social care in England.
  • Children and Families Act (2014). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page) | Young Person's Guide (PDF document). Act which amends existing legislation and services for chilren and young people, including those with special educational needs, in England.
  • Equality Act 2010. London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
  • Fulfilling and rewarding lives: the strategy for adults with autism in England. (2010). London: Department of Health. Read Full Item|EasyRead  (PDF documents). Strategy which sets out how public services for adults on the autism spectrum in England should be delivered.
  • SEND: guide for parents and carers (2014). London: Department of Education. Read Full Item (PDF document). Explains how the system that supports children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) works.
  • Think autism: Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update. (2014). London: Department of Health. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF documents). Updates the strategy on public services for adults on the autism spectrum in England.

Northern Ireland

  • Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Belfast: Northern Ireland Executive. Read Full Item (website page). An Act to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to require an autism strategy to be prepared.
  • Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) strategic action plan 2008/09 - 2010/11 (2008). Belfast: Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety. Read Full Item (PDF document). Strategy which sets out how public services for people on the autism spectrum in Northern Ireland  should be delivered.
  • Autism Strategy (2013-20) and Action Plan (2013-16) (2013).  Belfast: Northern Ireland Executive. Read Full Item (PDF document). Update of the strategy on public services for people on the autism spectrum in Northern Ireland.
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (1995). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.

Scotland

  • Equality Act 2010. London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
  • Scottish strategy for autism. (2011). Edinburgh: Scottish Government. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF documents). Strategy which sets out how public services for adults on the autism spectrum in Scotland should be delivered.

Wales

  • Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) strategic action plan for Wales. (2008). Cardiff: Welsh Government. Read Full Item (PDF document)
  • Equality Act 2010. London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page)

Related Pages

Publications on Autism

Quick link:
https://www.informationautism.org/legislation-policies-autism
Updated
19 Oct 2021