Contents

  1. Introduction to the Autism Strategy
  2. Context to the Autism Strategy
  3. Autism in Bexley
  4. National context
  5. Our approach to the Autism Strategy
  6. Our language
  7. Our vision and priorities
  8. How we will achieve our Autism Strategy
  9. Appendix A: Action plan priorities

3. Autism in Bexley

People living in Bexley based on the 2021 Census

 

246,500

Although we do not know exactly how many autistic people live in Bexley, we can use national averages to help us.

National data suggests that at least 1 in 100 people are autistic which would mean that there are at least 2,465 autistic people in Bexley.

However, information from our GPs and health partners suggests that the actual number is higher. Data from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust shows that there are 4,089 autistic people, whom either live in Bexley or have a Bexley GP. This comprises:

  • 53% are children and young people (2173 people aged under 18) and 47% are adults (1916 people aged 18 and over). 
  • 84% of the 4,089 people received an autism diagnosis in the last 10 years. 
  • The higher numbers of children and young people with autism may be partly due to greater awareness and understanding of autism. It’s possible that not as many people, who are now adults, were diagnosed as children in the past. Data from the Adult Autism Diagnostic Service shows a significant increase in referrals for adult assessments, compared to the position 10 years ago (see below). 
  • 26% (1,079 people) are female and 74% (3,009) are male. More men and boys are currently diagnosed with autism than women and girls. Autistic characteristics in women and girls may differ from those of other autistic people, which can mean that they can struggle to get a diagnosis, receive a diagnosis late in life or are misdiagnosed with conditions other than autism.
  • 63% (2,565 people) are from the white ethnic group and 25% (1,024 people) from all other ethnic groups combined. The ethnicity of the remaining 12% (500 people) was not stated or not known. According to the 2021 Census, 28% of residents in the London Borough of Bexley are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The data on autism diagnosis indicates that people from ethnic minorities may be under-represented. Nationally, it has been highlighted that people may not approach health and social care services for support, potentially due to cultural reasons or a lack of understandable information on the topic.
  • 67% (2,733 people) have additional diagnoses. This includes 314 people who also have a learning disability (representing 7.7% of the overall cohort of 4,089 people).

According to the School Census (Spring Term), there were 1,563 pupils with ASD out of 43,328 pupils at Bexley schools (3.6%). As of March 2024, there were 37% of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan giving autism as the primary support reason (1,142 out of 3,075 active EHCPs).

Data from the Adult Social Care Statutory Returns shows that 181 autistic people aged 18 plus were accessing long term support at the year-end (31 March 2024). This compares to 150 people as at 31 March 2023 and 123 people as at 31 March 2022.

From 2022 to 2023, there were 147 referrals for adult diagnosis compared to 47 received in 2013. Of adults who went through the assessment process, 48% led to a positive diagnosis.