Hertfordshire's 'all age autism' strategy was discussed during a meeting of the county council's adult care, health and wellbeing cabinet last week.

The UK Government prevalence estimates that around 1.1 per cent of people are autistic.

In Hertfordshire, with its population of 1,198,800, this estimate would come to around 13,186 local people with autism.

The council's autism strategy has been in place since 2014, and is renewed every five years – with a new plan to cover 2024 to 2029.

It sets out the broad priorities for local health and care services for autistic people based on national legislation and guidance, as well as feedback from autistic people and their families.

The all age autism strategy's priorities are as follows:

1. Autistic people have access to a timely diagnosis, and support while waiting for a diagnosis, plus post-diagnosis support.
2. Autistic people have equal access to reasonably adjusted mental health services when they need them.
3. Autistic people and their families have access to a range of support in their local communities.
4. Autistic people can fulfil their potential in education, employment, or training.
5. Autistic people have equal access to reasonably adjusted physical healthcare services when they need them and working to improve health outcomes for autistic people.
6. Ensuring that people who have ongoing care and support needs have access to appropriate services and support to lead a fulfilling life.

Hertfordshire Council Council's report states: "Autistic people can see, hear, and feel the world differently to other people; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be 'cured'.

"Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and the world around them.

"Autism can be associated with a severe disability meaning people need high levels of support coordinated across health, education and social care, as well as people who do not require any support, or people who may need support at certain times. Autistic people are also far higher to experience mental ill health and/or have other co-occurring conditions.

"Autism is not a learning disability but around 4 in 10 autistic people also have a learning disability."

During Friday's meeting, Cllr Fiona Guest asked: "How will Herts County Council be able to engage with businesses to improve the employment prospects of people with autism?"

Robin Goold, HCC's head of integrated health and care commissioning, said: "Through Step2Skills, our supported employment team, there is some work we want to do – to review what's happening now and how we can improve that.

"There are things we need to do around communications as well. So there's an organisation called Autistica who have got a huge amount of information on the contribution autistic people can make to business. The reality is there will be autistic people all the way through business, all the way through higher education, through high level industries.

"I think there's a real positive case we can make about what people with autism can offer to the workplace."