§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what facilities and services are available to identify and provide for the(a) educational, (b) medical, and (c) other needs of children with autism. [5835]
§ Mr. AncramIt is the responsibility of the education and library boards to assess and provide for the special educational needs of all children in Northern Ireland with802W special educational needs, including autistic children. Placements may be made in special schools, in special units attached to mainstream schools or in mainstream schools themselves. One board operates an advisory and support service for autistic children and their families, and another has recently appointed a seconded teacher to assist and support special schools. As far as the health and personal social services are concerned, the assessed needs of children with autism are met within the learning disability programme of care.