Petitions/Make additional autism-specific training mandatory for all speech therapists
StatusOngoing
Opened21 Apr 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

I believe Speech Therapy is failing autistic children and that change is long overdue. This campaign calls to make additional autism-specific training mandatory for all prospective & practising NHS Speech Therapists. Please sign this petition today to Speak Up for Autism.

The new training should focus on ensuring autistic individuals have their specific Speech, Language & Communications needs met & give all Speech Therapists the confidence to recommend, refer & support an autistic individual’s communication needs. This would include augmentative & alternative communication, language processing & understanding of speech disorders such as Apraxia - with a specific focus on how these impact & relate to autistic individuals. This new training could be called "Speak Up for Autism."

6,512Total signatures
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Constituency engagement ranking

Gideon Amos
1Gideon Amos MP
Taunton and Wellington
108
Dame Nia Griffith
2Dame Nia Griffith MP
Llanelli
85
Dr Neil Hudson
3Dr Neil Hudson MP
Epping Forest
55
Sir Ashley Fox
4Sir Ashley Fox MP
Bridgwater
50
Rachel Gilmour
5Rachel Gilmour MP
Tiverton and Minehead
40
Tristan Osborne
6Tristan Osborne MP
Chatham and Aylesford
37
Sir John Whittingdale
7Sir John Whittingdale MP
Maldon
36
Sarah Dyke
8Sarah Dyke MP
Glastonbury and Somerton
35
Dr Luke Evans
9Dr Luke Evans MP
Hinckley and Bosworth
32
Emma Hardy
10Emma Hardy MP
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
32