§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is available under the National Health Service for the treatment of autistic children in the London area.
§ Mr. Moyle,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th June 1977;Vol. 934, c. 155), gave the following information:
A social and educational approach is usually more effective with autistic children than treatment within the NHS. In those cases where health service treatment is thought to be helpful this is normally provided through the general range of child psychiatric services rather than by special facilities for autistic children.
In the London area autistic children can receive treatment at the following centres:
610WQueen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney.
Tavistock Clinic, N.W.3—Outpatient.
Henderson Hospital, Sutton.
St. Lawrence's Hospital, Caterham.
High Wick Hospital, St. Albans.
The Bethlehem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals, where the Board of Governors is actively seeking ways and means of continuing the clinical service to autistic children built up in the course of a research project which ended 31st March last.