§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department gives to adults with autism. [82712]
§ Jacqui SmithAdults with autism are benefiting from funding of over £200,000 which the Department made through the Section 64 Scheme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations between 1998–99 and 2001–02. We are currently devoting a further £154,000 over three years to the National Autistic Society project "Independence and Autism: Good Practice for Service Providers". This will support the development of new services to enable adults with autism or Asperger's Syndrome to live independently.
The "Valuing People" White Paper directly covers every adult with autism who also has a learning disability. Implementation guidance, issued in August last year, makes clear that adults with Asperger's Syndrome or higher functioning autism are not precluded from using learning disability services, where appropriate, and may require an assessment of their social functioning and communication skills in order to establish their level of need. By bringing together a wide range of local statutory agencies, "Valuing People" gives us the scope to improve opportunities and services for people across the autistic spectrum.
People with autism will also gain, along with others, from the investment we are making to improve standards in health and social care services. In particular they will benefit from the NHS Plan, the mental health national service framework, which covers the mental health needs of adults with autism, and fair access to care services.