Whom do we serve?
Bromley Autistic Trust aims to provide services for people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder who live mainly in the London Borough of Bromley.
Bromley has a population of around 295,530 . Studies of the frequency of the occurrence of autism over the years have shown increasing rates in people with and without learning disabilities. This may be because of wider awareness and improved diagnosis. Based on the most recent figures published by the National Autistic Society the estimated prevalence figures for Bromley are given in the table below.
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder with learning disability | 591 |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder without learning disability | 2,098 |
| Total | 2,689 |
In these figures, Autistic Spectrum Disorder includes the people with the full syndrome (Kanner's Syndrome), Asperger Syndrome and all others on the continuum. The figures are broken down into those with and without learning disability because in adult life, those with a learning disability are highly likely to be much more dependent than people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder but without learning disabilities.
The most serious conditions are identified early on in life but many children are not diagnosed until later when they present to services with learning and/or emotional/behavioural difficulties. Because of the historically poor awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, many adults who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders have not been diagnosed.
Bromley Autistic Trust is aware of over 600 children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and more than 100 further children awaiting a diagnostic assessment. BAT provides direct services for 40 adults with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and is aware of many others who need specialist services.