Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru	National Assembly for Wales
Bil Awtistiaeth (Cymru) drafft	Draft Autism (Wales) Bill
Llythyr Ymgynghori DAB34a	Consultation Letter DAB34a
Ymateb gan Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan (BIPAB)	Evidence from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Thank you for the further opportunity to comment on the proposals for an Autism Bill. The Health Board made a full response to the consultation that was undertaken last year and the Health Board's response made at that time is attached to this letter for information.

The Health Board wishes to reiterate the views expressed within our letter of the 20th November 2017, which emphasised that it is important that disadvantaged groups, such as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are protected and supported by Welsh Government and public services in Wales. However, we would also like to re-emphasise concerns regarding diagnosis specific legislation. There are concerns that the wider definition of ASD used within the proposals will not be agile or flexible enough to reflect and respond to the ever growing understanding of neuro-disabilities. As new classifications emerge the legislation would need to be regularly amended to reflect these new understandings.

Also, as mentioned previously, there would need to be clarity with regard to incorporation of new classifications and it would need to be clear who would make the decisions about inclusion or exclusion, as the decisions with regard to what is included and what is excluded are always fraught with particular difficulty for individuals and groups within our communities and the population generally.

Therefore, it is suggested that this reinforces the suggestion that any protection, however welcomed for ASD, should be on the basis of need and not diagnosis or condition. It is suggested that improved protection and rights for children with disabilities (physical, emotional and learning) on this basis would ensure that those most in need would get the most help.