- New research suggests autistic people are among most lonely and isolated in UK
- National Autistic Society calls on Government to make sure upcoming strategy for tackling loneliness addresses the specific needs of autistic people
Our new research* suggests that autistic people are among the most isolated and lonely in the UK. We compared the results of our new survey of almost 900 autistic people with the Government’s own data and the findings indicate that autistic people are four times as likely to be lonely as the general public. Our previous research** suggests that 79% of autistic people feel socially isolated.
We are calling on Tracey Crouch MP, the minister with responsibility for tackling loneliness, to make sure the Government’s upcoming strategy addresses the root causes of loneliness for autistic people.
Tracey Crouch MP recently spoke about her work, including a visit to an autism service, at the inaugural meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Loneliness and Social Isolation (Tuesday 27 March). She also talked about the isolation faced by many parents of autistic people and the importance of improving public understanding of autism.
More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Most autistic people want more friends and connections but many find forming and maintaining social relationships difficult and confusing. The difficulties autistic people can face filtering out the sounds, smells, sights and information can leave them feeling overwhelmed and anxious in busy public spaces. Combined with anxiety about the public misunderstanding their distress, it can be hard to go out at all.
Without appropriate and accessible support and services, many autistic people fall into isolation and this can lead to loneliness. Social isolation has been linked to both mental and physical health problems, with the impact of loneliness estimated to be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day***.
Nita lives in Colchester and was diagnosed with autism nearly two decades ago, when she was 15. She said: “For me personally, autism is first and foremost a social disability, and I say disability because it does indeed have a disabling effect on my ability to communicate with others.
“I wrote in my teenage-diary-turned-published-book Standing Down Falling Up that I felt as if there was a wall separating me from others — a barrier that, although invisible, may as well have been as solid and secure as Fort Knox for all the success I had breaking out of it — and twenty years on, it’s no different.
“I always used to think that, as I grew older, social interaction would get easier; it didn’t. School was a minefield; as was college, and the three universities I attended, and every relationship. Despite social skills related literature aplenty, social skills workshops, behavioural courses, and friendships made and invariably lost, I remain isolated; and, whilst I don’t blame myself, I know something isn’t sinking in, and I wonder why I’m not getting it right.
“At times, it leaves me considering hermittery, resigning myself to but the barest bones of social interaction… but that’s not what I want. I’ve pretty much accepted lifelong spinsterhood and childlessness, but I need some positive relationships in my life. I need friends; people who accept and like me for who I am. I am autistic, but I am no less worthy of friendship than anyone else.”
Mark Lever, our Chief Executive, said: “Our research suggests that autistic people are some of the most isolated and lonely in the UK. This can be devastating and lead to serious physical and mental health problems.
“At the National Autistic Society, we won’t accept a world where autistic people feel they have to shut themselves away. The Government can’t tackle loneliness unless it reduces the shocking levels of social isolation amongst autistic people – and addresses the root causes.
“We’ve written to Tracey Crouch MP, who is leading this work, to offer to work with her to ensure the upcoming strategy makes a difference to autistic people across the country. This means making sure everyone can get the help they need, like peer support, and training on how to cope in social situations, alongside improving public understanding of autism.”
* The National Autistic Society compared the responses of 869 autistic adults to their 2017 survey with equivalent data from the Office for National Statistics’ Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (2015)
** Based on a 2016 National Autistic Society survey of over 7,000 autistic people, their family members and friends, and professionals.
*** Campaign to end loneliness (2010).