§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he provides for the diagnosis and statementing of autistic children for pre-nursery entry.
§ Mr. FreemanRecent guidance on the procedures involved in the assessment and statementing of children with special educational needs has just been issued jointly by my Department and the Department of Education and Science. This guidance covers children under five, including autistic children. Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Library. [DH circular HN (89) 20 and DES circular 22/89].