The Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c 27) is an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Act makes provision about the needs of adults and children who have autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome.
| Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to require an autism strategy to be prepared. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2011 c. 27 |
| Introduced by | Dominic Bradley |
| Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 9 May 2011 |
| Commencement | 9 August 2011 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Autism (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
Background
editIn 2002, the Department of Education published guidance for teachers regarding autistic spectrum disorders,[1] and an evaluation of the provision of services for autistic children in Northern Ireland.[2]
In 2007, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency published a review of early intervention provision for autism. It recommended a joint strategy, comprehensive assessment procedure with a waiting time of no more than 4 months, intervention that takes into account the needs of individual families, and more thorough training.[3]
Duties
editAutism strategy publication
editThe Act requires the publication of an autism strategy document.[4]
Several iterations of the strategy have been published.[5][6][7]
Independent reviewer
editThe Act requires the appointment of an independent autism reviewer.[8]
Health and Social Care Trusts
editThe Act requires the Health and Social Care trusts to provide data on the prevalence of autism in their areas.[4]
Provisions
editSection 5 provides that the Act came into force at the end of the period of three months that began on the date on which it was passed.[4]
Reception
editAutismNI has hailed the original act as "the most comprehensive and progressive legislation for autism across the UK and Ireland" and that with the amendments, the legislation has been "strengthened even more"[9]
Amendment
editAutism (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
editIn 2022, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a private member's bill to further strengthen provision of services and to ensure that services are "person-centred".[10] The amendment act passed unanimously.[11]
Funding
editThe amended Act requires the Department of Health to publish details of funding.[12]
Data
editThe amended Act requires the data published by the Department of Health to be separated into adults and children.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ McGinn, Gerry (2002-11-27). "A classroom guide for dealing with autistic spectrum disorders" (PDF). Department of Education. Northern Ireland Executive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Matchett, Marion J; McGinn, Gerry (2002-11-27). "Evaluating autistic spectrum disorders" (PDF). Department of Education. Northern Ireland Executive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ McConkey, Roy; Kelly, Greg; Cassidy, Arlene (2007). "An evaluation of the need and early intervention support for children (aged 2-4 years) with an autistic spectrum disorder in Northern Ireland". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (44). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-11-30 – via CORE.
- ^ a b c Northern Ireland Assembly. Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 as amended (see also enacted form), from legislation.gov.uk.
- ^ "The Autism Strategy (2013 – 2020) and Action Plan (2013 – 2016): Progress Report September 2015" (PDF). Department of Health. 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "As it happened: MLAs debated Autism Strategy". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2021-05-11. Archived from the original on 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "AUTISM STRATEGY 2023-2028: To Respect, To Listen, To Involve" (PDF). Department of Health. 2023-12-13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Moynagh, Aileen (2024-08-21). "New watchdog for services for autistic people". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "Autism (Amendment) Act (NI)". Archived from the original on 2024-09-21.
- ^ McCormack, Jayne (2022-03-07). "Autism: MLAs pass bill to strengthen support in Northern Ireland". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Hargan, Garrett (2022-03-07). "NI Assembly passes critical Autism legislation". Belfast Telegraph. pp. MediaHuis. Archived from the original on 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ a b Northern Ireland Assembly. Autism (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 as amended (see also enacted form), from legislation.gov.uk.