“Eight out of 10 doctors need more training to spot the signs of autism, according to a new report.
The study, from the National Audit Office (NAO), also found that around half of the estimated 400,000 adults in England with autism may be falling through the gaps due to a lack of services.
This is because they do not have a learning disability and services are mostly set up for people with illness, physical or learning disabilities, and mental health problems.
A poll of 1,000 GPs for the report found 80% thought they needed additional guidance and training to identify and manage those with autism more effectively. Many did not know where to refer people with autism due to a lack of specific services.
The study said: “In our survey of GPs, 64% told us that they referred adults with suspected high-functioning autism to adult mental health services, and 19% to learning disability services.
“(A total of) 12% were not sure where they should refer such patients, and only 10% reported that they would refer them to a specialised autism diagnostic service.”
The NAO found that most NHS organisations and local authorities do not know how many people with autism live in their area, something it said should change. It also called for specialist support services.
The study – called Supporting People with Autism through Adulthood – said: “Providing specialised support could improve outcomes for this group of people and their carers, and potentially enhance value for money, as the costs of establishing such support could be outweighed over time by overall savings.”
Tim Burr, spokesman for the NAO, added: “Greater awareness of the numbers of people with autism, as well as better understanding of autism amongst those providing health, social care, benefits, education and employment services, would lead to improved quality of life for those on the autistic spectrum.”Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society (NAS), said: “Neither the Government, people with autism nor the taxpayer are getting value for money from existing autism services and support, leaving those affected by the condition feeling isolated, ignored and often at breaking point. This is simply unacceptable.”
