§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 381, if he will alter the format of the School Census to disaggregate provision for autism; and if he has requested other information from local authorities as to their educational provision for children with autism. [40605]
§ Mr. WilsonIn light of increasing interest in special educational needs issues the Scottish Office are considering, in consultation with education authorities and other relevant professional bodies, proposals to identify more detailed categories of special educational needs provision in the School Census. A decision on which categories of special educational needs such as autism should be included is likely in June and will be implemented for the September 1998 census. Data on educational provision for children with autism are not obtained in any other way.