West Berkshire's Autism Strategy Aims for Change

Autism diagnoses have shot up in recent years - a national rise of 787% in the 20 years to 2018 - and West Berkshire is seeing the same demand. The council reports a 215% increase in diagnoses and support over the last four years, while Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in local schools rose 58% in five years.

On Thursday West Berkshire Council will sign off a new All-Age Autism Strategy for the Berkshire West area, which has 10,017 registered autistic people. The report paints a picture of long waits, patchy support and everyday struggles for autistic residents.

Average waiting times for assessments are around 99 weeks. "The waiting list is longer than two years," explained one anonymous contributor. Some who could afford it paid privately: "Fortunately, I could find the £1,500 required for a private assessment and the GP surgery helped me find someone to do the assessment and accepted the private diagnosis."

Many describe poor post-diagnosis help. "You just get dumped after initial assessment, there's a little help but not much to help you cope with life afterwards," said another. Others hide their diagnosis: "I don't always want to disclose that I have autism, because it doesn't always feel safe to do so," and "I mask a lot, so it can be hard because I look fine and do well at work, but underneath I find most days incredibly stressful."

The Autism Act 2009 and new guidance mean councils must provide adult diagnostic pathways. "There is now a requirement on the part of local authorities to provide an adult diagnostic pathway," says Tim Nicholls, head of policy at the National Autistic Society.

The council says its aim is inclusive: "We envision a community where autistic individuals and their families are respected, empowered, and fully included in every aspect of life," and the strategy will set out services from childhood to later life.

The report highlights other gaps: many older adults never received a diagnosis, and an estimated 90% of autistic adults aged over 50 are undiagnosed. Autistic people often face extra health and employment barriers; around 80% report problems seeing a GP and 88% feel health professionals don't fully understand their needs, the report says.

Schools and workplaces also need to change. Survey comments call for better teacher understanding and tougher action on discrimination. "Just raise more awareness, I swear that some of the teachers need to be spoon-fed on what being autistic actually means," one person wrote. Another said: "I'd like not to be bullied. People need to understand that you don't need to have a wheelchair to have a disability."

The strategy's priorities include training for professionals, awareness campaigns, education initiatives to help autistic children thrive, and workplace support and specialist employment services to reduce inequalities and improve access to diagnosis and support locally.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter