A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) and the National Autistic Society (NAS) has found that children and young people with autism are being let down and left behind when it comes to achieving their educational potential. The report also highlights the lack of progress in helping to locate, secure and implement support strategies for children and young people with autism within the school surroundings.

Children on the autistic spectrum are still being let down by the educational system three years on from significant reforms to educational provision for those identified with special education needs. Fewer than half of children and young people with autism report feeling happy at school, with seven in ten reporting that their peer group doesn’t understand them. Half of these children also say that their teacher doesn’t understand them.

For many families, seeking and securing that additional support structure for their child is an uphill struggle; with many parents finding it can take years to get the help that they and their children are legally entitled to.

Reading East MP Matt Rodda attended an event in Parliament called #HeldBack which was hosted by the National Autistic Society and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism. This event highlighted the report findings, and Matt pledged his support to helping tackle these challenges for children and young people with autism within his constituency.

He said:
“I’m concerned about the education offered to young people who are on the autistic spectrum. I think the Government should look at this again and offer more help.”