§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what action he has taken since the research project commissioned in 1993 by his Department and the Department of Health into under-identification of autistic children; [76400]
(2) what statutory provisions require a local education authority in England and Wales to provide a relevant education service for an individual child with autistic spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement; [76401]
(3) if he will institute a public inquiry into the educational services provided for children with autistic spectrum disorder in the United Kingdom; [76403]
(4) what steps the Government have taken to implement the recommendations of the Health Committee's report on health services for children and young people in the community and school (HC 314 of session 1996–97) in respect of education services for children with autistic spectrum disorder. [76440]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeUnder Part IV Chapter 1 of the Education Act 1996, local education authorities are required to identify and assess children with special educational needs who may require provision beyond that which can normally be met from within the resources of local schools, and to arrange suitable provision where necessary. This includes children with autistic spectrum disorders.
The final report of the research project commissioned in 1993 by the Departments for Education and Employment and Health, "A Descriptive and Comparative Study of Current Interventions for Children with Autism" 609W (Jones, Meldrum, Newson; University of Nottingham, June 1995) found under-identification of children with autism and a shortfall in specialist provision.
The Government are implementing an SEN Action Programme, announced in November 1998, designed to improve provision for all children with special educational needs, including those with autism. This followed wide-ranging consultation and takes into account the University of Nottingham's report and the Health Committee's recommendations, contained in "The Specific Health Needs of Children and Young People". Last year my Department published a report on existing research into the educational interventions for children with autism which will complement current research into the provision made for such children, commissioned by the Local Government Association. We will consider the findings of the latter research carefully once they are available.
Provision for children with autism in the rest of the United Kingdom is a matter for my hon. Friends the Secretaries of State of Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland.