The UK Autism Foundation is supporting the Department of Health's Consultation 'Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives.' We hope that parents, carers and the Autism Community will respond to this consultation.

A consultation to help improve care services and healthcare outcomes for adults with autism in England was launched today by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow.

This is the next step to help adults with autism live full and independent lives as equal and included citizens and follows the publication of the strategy for adults with autism: Fulfilling and rewarding lives.

The strategy sets a clear framework for all mainstream public sector services to support adults with autism and is backed up by the Autism Act 2009, the first ever condition specific legislation.

The 12-week consultation process seeks views from those with autism, their families, carers, representative organisations and all sectors of society on a number of important issues such as:

• diagnosis of autism
• increasing awareness of autism amongst frontline staff
• provision of training and specialist training for frontline staff
• appropriate assessment of needs for those with autism
• provision of relevant services for young people and adults with autism
• local leadership for NHS and social care in relation to the provision of services for adults with autism

1. The consultation will run for a 12-week period from 30 July to 22 October 2010.

2. Full consultation materials can be downloaded by clicking on the consultations link on the home page of www.dh.gov.uk

3. There are a range of ways for people to respond to the consultation,  including:

• completing an online questionnaire
• responding in writing
• responding via e mail.