§ 27. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she is now taking on the recommendations about dyslexia made by her advisory committee on handicapped children.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI am seeking the views of the local authority and teachers' associations on the Committee's recommendations for identifying children with reading difficulties and providing special help for them.
§ Mr. AshleyWill the right hon. Lady seek to consult parents as well and, in the light of this report, try to ensure that special remedial teaching is available to children who were formerly known as dyslexic children but who have been rechristened by the report children with special reading difficulties?
§ Mrs. ThatcherI shall be pleased to hear from parents, especially from those who have children with reading problems. My aim is to ensure that provision is available for all children with reading difficulties. I think that that was the aim of the report, too.
§ Mr. PavittWill the right hon. Lady look again at the problem raised during the Adjournment debate recently about the education of autistic children, and review the provisions now being made not only for dyslexic children but also for autistic children?
§ Mrs. ThatcherA circular was sent out recently asking local education authorities to give details of the provision made for autistic children in their areas. Full answers to the circular are not yet available.