Local MP warns: Mental health services are failing children with autism

5.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th Jun 2010

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has warned that thousands of children with autism in England are needlessly facing a future of mental health problems, because the NHS does not know how to help them. She is backing a new campaign by the National Autistic Society (NAS), You Need to Know, which aims to tackle an unfit mental health system that fails two thirds of children with autism and often makes their mental health worse.

Annette said; "This is an issue I have supported throughrout my time in Parliament and I am delighted that the NAS are pushing for acknowledgement of this. We all need to know that by giving children with autism the understanding and support they need, we help promote their health and happiness. Too many are currently developing preventable mental health problems and find themselves up against a broken system that doesn't understand them or their needs. It is a tragic waste of their potential."

Over 70%* of children with autism have a mental health problem, such as depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other anxiety disorders, despite the fact that many of these problems are preventable. Autism is a complex disability and so when mental health problems do develop in children with the condition they are much harder to recognise, diagnose and treat without appropriate knowledge. Tragically, they are often dismissed as an unfortunate, but unavoidable side effect of having autism.

Annette is also calling on local children and families affected by autism to nominate their Happiness Hero - an individual who has gone the extra mile to support a child with autism. It could be a mental health professional, teacher, youth group worker or another individual who has made a positive difference to the life of a child with autism. For more information, visit www.autism.org.uk/youneedtoknow.