Educational institutions in Wales are “not meeting the needs” of young people with autism, a study suggests.

A report by the Welsh assembly’s cross-party autism group (CPAG) revealed 75% of surveyed schools felt the availability of local help was inadequate. 58% described further education provision in Wales to be inadequate.   

The study, 'A Snapshot of Autism Education Provision in Wales', is based on information gathered from 33 education providers. This includes special schools, mainstream schools with autism resources and further education colleges.

The report followed concerns raised in a number of CPAG meetings that young people with autism in post-16 and further education were missing out due to a lack of organisation, awareness and understanding.

It examined topics such as the role of the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategic action plan on autism spectrum disorders, released last year.

Shirley Parsley, national coordinator of the National Autism Society Cymru, said the issues highlighted in the report were daily realities for young people with autism and their families in Wales.  

Autism affects over 25,000 people in Wales. Of these, 6,000 are children and young people aged under 18.

The CPAG was established in 2002 to bring individuals, families, professionals and AMs together to discuss autism issues.