Benefits and work support schemes to meet the needs of people with autistic spectrum disorder

Inclusion was commissioned by the National Audit Office (NAO) to investigate the degree to which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits and employment support schemes meet the needs of individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and their carers. Inclusion employed a number of social research techniques in order to investigate this issue.

These included:

• conducting interviews with a range of stakeholders from DWP, Jobcentre Plus and organisations that specialise in ASD
• conducting focus groups with transition managers and carers of people with ASD
• conducting research with individuals with ASD
• carrying out a literature review.

This study provided evidence on how best the DWP’s benefits and supports schemes could meet the requirements of people with ASD and their carers and contributed to the NAO's report 'Supporting people with autism through adulthood'.

Download 'Supporting people with autism through adulthood'

Download Inclusion's report to the National Audit Office