§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the improvements and changes in the diagnosis of autism that occurred in each year since 1979; and by what means and when GPs and other health professionals were made aware of these changes. [149346]
§ Mr. HuttonThere have been considerable advances in the diagnosis of autism since 1979. This has been aided by the development of new diagnostic tools. These include the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders whose further development is being led by the National Autistic Society and the Autism Diagnostic Interview developed by Professor Ann Le Couteur. Dissemination is largely through professional publications, conferences and training days.