Ending the Support ‘Cliff Edge’ in the Transition to Adulthood: Time to Deliver Change for Young Autistic People

Autistic people are as diverse as our country and an integral, valuable part of it. Yet they also face persistent inequalities, holding them back from leading fulfilling lives and our society from an inclusive future.

In 2009, the landmark Autism Act 2009 was passed. This was a key step forward in the recognition of autistic people, requiring the Government to produce an autism strategy backed up by statutory guidance for the NHS and local authorities.

Now, a House of Lords special inquiry committee, which I chaired, has published a report examining the effectiveness of the Act. Ministers have promised to use our recommendations to help them develop the new autism strategy due in July 2026.

Sixteen years of the Autism Act

When the Autism Act was passed, autism was still typically seen as a childhood condition. Autistic adults were often invisible.

The Autism Act has helped change that, making services recognise and respond to the needs of autistic adults. Meanwhile, our understanding of autism has evolved. When the Act was passed, about 1% of people were estimated to be autistic. Diagnosis rates are now around 5% among adolescents, but still much lower than 1% among older people.

Young autistic people are being set up to struggle. The overall share of young people aged between 16 and 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) has increased in recent years to an estimated 13%. Just under half of young people who are NEET are classed as disabled. Among young disabled people who are NEET, 22% report that their main condition is autism.

Equipping young autistic people to thrive

The inequalities start early. Autistic children and young people do not have equal access to education. Thousands are unhappy at school or out of school altogether, with many families turning to home education in desperation.

In 2023/24, 50% of autistic pupils who entered GCSEs achieved a grade 4 in English and maths, compared to 65% of all pupils. About one in five working-age autistic people has no qualifications. The Government has committed to introduce post-16 qualifications to give students with SEND “access to high-quality study pathways and a clear line of sight to employment or further study”. Delivering on this will be vital.

Young autistic people told us about facing a ‘cliff edge’ when they left school or college. Just when they should be spreading their wings, vital support falls away. To enable young autistic people to thrive, the Government needs to develop services to help them

through this crucial transition, bringing together education, employment, housing and mental health support.

Supporting young autistic people to find, stay in and do well at work

Overall, only about 3 in 10 autistic people are in work. Many autistic people who are not in work would like to be. Economic analysis suggests doubling the employment rate for autistic people could generate economic benefits of up to around £1.5 billion per year.

Supported internships and supported employment have a proven track record of enabling autistic people and people with a learning disability to move towards and into work, by enabling them to learn skills on the job. Expanding access to such schemes is vital.

Employers also need support and incentives to help young autistic people into work. Standard recruitment processes often put autistic people at a disadvantage: for example, research shows autistic applicants are rated on average less favourably at interview. We heard about exemplary inclusive employers, but they are in the minority. Too many do not know where to start.

The Government should support employers to learn from each other through voluntary accreditation schemes, like Autistica’s Neurodiversity Employers Index. The Disability Confident scheme also needs to be strengthened so it rewards employers that really do offer good support.

Time to deliver

The Government autism strategy for 2021 to 2026 set ambitions reflecting key priorities of autistic people and those who support them. But after the first year, successive governments failed to produce any plan to deliver or fund the strategy.

The Government now needs to take a different approach. It must identify priority outcomes, produce a costed, deliverable plan to achieve them, and make clear who is responsible and accountable for delivery. Young autistic people deserve nothing less.

By The Baroness Rock, a current member of the House of Lords.