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  • Autism Strategy 2023-2028

    Topics:
    • Mental health and learning disabilities, 
    • Health policy, 
    • Autism strategy and action plan

    Date published: 13 December 2023

    Last updated: 31 July 2025

    Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition which affects the way that people experience, communicate, and interact with their environment.This cross-departmental strategy, which runs until 2028, sets out the key commitments and actions needed to enhance and improve support for autistic people and their families. The actions have therefore been informed through extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation with autistic people and their families, and with the community and voluntary organisations who represent them. 

    Progress on implementation of the strategy will be monitored and reported on an annual basis. A further Delivery Plan will be developed post 2025.

    Enquiries regarding the Autism Strategy can be sent to: autism.strategy@health-ni.gov.uk

    Supporting Autistic people in Employment – How to be an Inclusive Employer

    The Autism Strategy 2023 – 2028 made a commitment to work in partnership with people who have a lived experience of autism, and with the ECNI, to provide guidance which will be accessible to employers and set out steps which can be taken to provide reasonable adjustments, in relation to communication, workstyle and sensory challenges, within the recruitment and work environment to support the needs of autistic people. 

    The guidance, has been co-produced by people with lived experience of autism in collaboration with the community and voluntary sector organisations who represent them together with the Department’s Autism Forum, Regional Stakeholder Forums in the Trusts, the Department for Communities and consultation between ECNI and some large Employers. Supporting Autistic People in Employment - How to be an Inclusive Employer 

    Documents

    • Autism Strategy 2023-2028Adobe PDF (2.5 MB)
    • Autism Strategy Delivery Plan 2023-2025Adobe PDF (639.84 KB)
    • Autism Strategy 2023-28 - Monitoring Report 2023/24Adobe PDF (348.81 KB)
    • Autism Strategy Delivery Plan 2023 to 2025 year two progress report 24 25Adobe PDF (741.43 KB)
    • Autism Strategy 2023-2028 - Easy Read VersionAdobe PDF (1.55 MB)
    • Consultation Summary Report – Autism Strategy 2023-2028Adobe PDF (488.67 KB)
    • Autism Strategy 2023-2028 Outcomes Co-Design Workshop – September 2022Microsoft Word (918.27 KB)
    • Autism Strategy 2023-2028 - Consultative Process - Summary of ResponsesMicrosoft Word (309.08 KB)
    • Equality Screening, Disability Duties and Human Rights AssessmentAdobe PDF (121.84 KB)
    • Rural Needs Impact AssessmentAdobe PDF (1.02 MB)
    • Frequently Asked QuestionsAdobe PDF (216.9 KB)
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