§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many autism specific places are provided in Wales within(a) residential provision, (b) mainstream services, (c) specialist autism spectrum disorder services, (d) pre school services and (e) higher education. [73749]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe information on services for the disabled, which is collected centrally, does not include information on the number of autism-specific places provided by local and health authorities for residential provision, mainstream services and specialist autism spectrum disorder services.
For pre-school services and higher education, information on autism-specific places is not collected centrally. However, the latest information available (at January 1998) shows that 475 pupils attending schools in Wales had statements of special educational needs specifying autism spectrum disorders. A breakdown by category of school is given.
Type of school No. of pupils in Wales with statements specifying autism spectrum disorders Maintained Nursery Schools 2 Maintained Primary Schools 168 Maintained Secondary Schools 41 Maintained Special Schools 252 Independent Schools (including independent special schools) 12 Total 475 Following the transfer of functions, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.