Speech and Language Therapy for Autistic Children

That this House recognises that speech and language therapy is currently failing many autistic children and young people in England; notes that hundreds of autistic individuals and their families have shared lived experience testimony demonstrating that their specific communication needs are not being met by existing NHS speech and language therapy provision; further notes that autistic individuals require tailored support for speech, language and communication needs that differ significantly from those of non-autistic patients, including in areas such as augmentative and alternative communication, language processing and speech disorders such as apraxia of speech; believes that additional autism-specific training should be made mandatory for all prospective and practising NHS speech and language therapists to ensure autistic individuals receive appropriate, affirming and effective care; and calls on the Government to work with NHS England and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to develop and implement such mandatory training as a matter of urgency.