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Section 3D(a) of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (‘the Act’) requires the Independent Autism Reviewer for Northern Ireland (‘the Autism Reviewer’) to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Autism Strategy (‘the Strategy’).
This Methodology explains the principles that will ordinarily guide the exercise of that function. It makes the Autism Reviewer’s approach visible before substantive findings are reached and supports independent monitoring that is proportionate, consistent and evidence based.
The Methodology is informed by the Autism Reviewer’s statutory functions, applicable public-law principles and recognised approaches to proportionate monitoring and evaluation.
It sits within the Autism Reviewer’s wider Oversight and Scrutiny Framework, as described in the Independent Autism Reviewer for Northern Ireland’s Annual Report, April 2026.