Carers must fight to get vital help, say campaigners

People suffering from autism are missing out on key benefits, because of a lack of understanding about the disorder, campaigners say.

The National Autistic Society is calling for autism and Asperger's syndrome to be better recognised as a disability.

Many people in survey of 2,000 members said they had to fight for benefits, such as the Disability Living Allowance, because people did not understand their condition.

Of those who were receiving the allowance 30% had gone to appeal to obtain their desired rate, rising to 45% of families on low incomes, it said.

'Doubly excluded'

The society said one of the main barriers was the complexity of the benefits system which meant people did not understand what they could claim.

Support services are not designed or equipped to effectively meet their needs Steve Broach, co-author

The report, which coincides with the start of Autism Awareness Week, also found that more than one third of carers admitted they did not understand the benefits system, with 65% of those who had claimed saying they had problems filling out the forms.

Steve Broach, co-author of the report, said: "People with autism spectrum disorders continue to find themselves doubly excluded, first as a result of their social and communication impairments, and then because support services are not designed or equipped to effectively meet their needs.

Mr Broach said the government had started to address the exclusion, but better awareness was needed among professionals.

"Families affected by autism also need more and better information to help them access their full range of rights and entitlements."