On Tuesday 17 January 2017 the National Autism Project (NAP) launched its new report, The Autism Dividend: Reaping the Rewards of Better Investment, in the House of Lords.
The report examines the evidence for the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions for autism. It makes a series of recommendations on evidence-based practice and research gaps to national governments, local commissioners, the research community and the public to help realise The Autism Dividend. Our key finding is that a great deal more could and should be done to generate evidence to shape policy and improve practice in autism.
We were delighted to have the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care, David Mowat MP, address the audience at the reception. The Minister shared his experience of supporting families affected by autism and seeking appropriate services in his constituency of Warrington and invited the NAP project team to the Department of Health to discuss how the report’s recommendations can be taken forward.
Attendees also heard from Lord Keith Bradley (who sponsored the event), Dr Elizabeth Vallance, the Chair of the NAP Strategy Board; Professor Martin Knapp from the London School of Economics (who co-authored the report); and Dr Larry Arnold, a member of the Autistic Advisory Panel.
Over 100 people including Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, policymakers, patient and professional organisations and members of the autistic community came to celebrate the launch and to express their strong support for the report and its recommendations.
The launch in England will be followed by events in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.