§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment she has made of provision by health and social service boards in Northern Ireland of specialist placement for young persons and adults with autistic spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement; [68556]
(2) what assessment she has made of the provisions for children with autism; and if she will make a statement. [68557]
§ Mr. McFallThe Department of Health and Social Services has not made any assessment of provisions of specialist services for people with autism. However, the 39W Department of Health and Social Services Boards, together with the Department of Education, have supported a diagnostic scoping study commissioned by the Northern Ireland voluntary organisation Parents and Professionals and Autism (PAPA). The aims of the study are to evaluate the effectiveness of the current range of services for people with autism and make recommendations for the enhancement of service provision.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many young persons and adults with autistic spectrum disorder are provided with specialist services; and if she will make a statement. [68554]
§ Mr. McFallThe Department of Health and Social Services does not collect information on people with autistic spectrum disorder or the specialist services with which they are provided.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with representatives of health boards about the provision for treatment of children with(a) Kanners autism and (b) autistic spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement. [68559]
§ Mr. McFallThe Department of Health and Social Services has not had any discussions with Health and Social Services Boards specifically about the provision of treatment of children with Kanners autism or autistic spectrum disorder. The special health and social needs of autistic children are provided by Trusts' learning disability and child health staff, as appropriate, and the Department is in regular contact with both Boards and Trusts about the provision of care in those specialties.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many children with autistic spectrum disorder in Northern Ireland are educated in schools or units which specialise in teaching children with autism; and if she will make a statement; [68555]
(2) what plans she has to ensure that every child with autism in Northern Ireland receives a minimum of an hour's one-to-one teaching each day by a qualified teacher; and if she will make a statement. [68558]
§ Mr. McFallInformation on autistic children in Northern Ireland is not held centrally. However, the Education and Training Inspectorate estimate that some 265 children with autistic spectrum disorder are currently enrolled at those special schools which cater for children with severe learning difficulties. The training provided for the teaching staff in these schools includes training to assist them in teaching children with autism. Education and Library Boards may arrange for particular levels of teaching support to be provided for individual children in accordance with their special educational needs and I have no plans to specify the minimum provision to be made for children with autism at this time.