UK Parliament home

Closed Ensure needs of autistic people are met in any future pandemic response

Closed on

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe many Autistic people struggled to process & understand information about the pandemic. If we were to have another pandemic, appropriate, autism-friendly advice should be provided.

The mental health of many Autistic people has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent Insight Survey ‘The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Autistic Adults’ published in February 2021 stated: "72% of respondents reported some or significant deterioration in Mental Health during the pandemic” and said the most negative impacts were the result of “uncertainty and disruption of normal routine”. More should be done to prevent this in future.

506 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Autism Act 2009: Share your views for an inquiry

    A House of Lords Committee are holding an inquiry into the Autism Act 2009.

    To inform it, the Committee would like to hear how you would improve several areas including:

    • public understanding and acceptance of autistic people
    • assessment, diagnosis and post-diagnostic support
    • access to healthcare, community support and education

    Share your views by Monday 2 June 2025

    What happens next?

    Your responses will inform the Committee’s understanding and work on this issue.

    At the end of the inquiry, it will publish a report with recommendations for the Government.

    The Department for Health and Social Care must then respond to the report.

    What is the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee?

    The Committee is a group of Members of the House of Lords from different political parties. It considers the Autism Act 2009 and makes recommendations to the Government.

    Your UK Parliament newsletter

    Sign up to a regular newsletter on the work of Parliament and how to get involved.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 20 June 2025.