§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on provision for those with autism in Northern Ireland. [168826]
§ Angela SmithProvision for people with autism is the responsibility of a number of Government Departments and statutory bodies and a wide range of provision is available to help and support sufferers and their families.
The Department of Education has taken a proactive stance in supporting positive interventions for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has allocated funding for ASD training for people in the range of pre-school settings and for the establishment of an Interboard ASD Training Group, which will develop training needs and support measures in this area. It is also planning the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in the education of children with ASD on an all Ireland basis. Complementary parent and teacher videos and CD-ROMs, along with guidance material on autism have been produced and an "ASD Guide to Classroom Practice" has been issued to all schools as an aid to teachers and classroom assistants.
1234WHealth and Social Services Boards provide a range of mainstream and specialist healthcare services for children and adults with autism, including diagnostic and assessment services, family support services, respite services, day care services, befriending schemes, mental health services, learning disability services, training for parents and staff and collaboration with specialist voluntary organisations such as PAPA (Parents and Professionals and Autism) and PEAT (Parents' Education as Autism Therapists). The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Priorities for Action 2004–05 includes action to enhance diagnostic, assessment and early intervention services for children with autism. An additional £0.5 million has been allocated for this purpose.
Other assistance is available through the Disablement Advisory Service and Jobskills programme of the Department of Employment and Learning and through Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance provided by the Social Security Agency.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were diagnosed as autistic in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [168827]
§ Angela SmithThe information requested is not available.