A STRATEGY to help improve the lives and opportunities for Bristol children and adults with autism has been launched for consultation.
It is estimated that around 4,000 people in the city live with varying degrees of autism, with more than half of these also having learning difficulties.
Bristol City Council and NHS Bristol want to improve collaboration and understanding of the condition and access to assessment and support networks.
Cabinet member for adult social care and health Councillor Jon Rogers said: "Bristol has some very well established services to support adults with autism, but there is plenty of scope for improvement to deliver excellence. This new strategy will help drive a new effort to improve understanding of the condition across services such as housing, leisure and employment agencies, to help people with autism meet their full potential."
National Autistic Society Avon branch officer Diana Elliott said: "Taking part in this consultation is a real opportunity for parents, carers and people with autism to make an impact in Bristol. By responding we have the opportunity to influence the way that children and adults with autism get access to the education, support, employment, housing and social opportunities they want and need."
Andrew Keefe, NHS Bristol's associate director for mental health and dementia said: "The NHS in Bristol welcomes the autism strategy as a means to raise awareness of the condition and improve the services for people with autism in the city.
"Individuals and their families for too long have struggled to have their needs identified and met. Although resources remain a challenge to us there are many things we can all do to make a positive difference to the lives of people with autism and the communities in which they live."
The strategy is available for people to give their comments until June 22.
A new Autism Board will use comments to formulate a three-year action plan in the autumn.
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