Reading the news item on the website about the Queen's Speech, with reference to the Full Employment and Welfare Benefits Bill, there is again that reference to only 15% with autism in full time work.
Figures like that usually move up and down a bit over the years, and it has certainly been a figure in circulation for at least ten years.
How was it obtained? Was it a survey of NAS members? Or was it a national survey by an organisation independent of NAS? Was it obtained by the Department of Work and Pensions?
What does it mean, beyond what it says? How was the in-work population defined, given a lot of people on the spectrum, who are in work, aren't necessarily easily identified to be included.
The context of this is people whom the government perceives can work. Their notion of who has autism and their notion of work is quite critical.
I don't feel this unchanging 15% figure is doing us any good.
