§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what she estimates to be the proportion of autistic 428W children of school age; and what means of identification is used to assess autism for England and Wales.
§ Dr. OwenEstimates vary because there is sometimes disagreement about the precise definition of what constitutes autism. Recent research studies suggest that between four and five children per 10,000 might be described as autistic. Diagnosis is complex, involving an assessment of hearing, speech, and psychomotor development as well as psychological and psychiatric investigations.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many autistic children are currently being cared for in sub-normality hospitals, by hospital region, for England and Wales.