§ Jonathan ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the practice guidelines for assessing the ability of people with Asperger's syndrome to live independently; [188883]
(2) what assessment he has made of the reasons a low percentage of adults with Asperger's syndrome are living fully independent lives; [188884]
(3) what assessment he has made of the assistance people with Asperger's syndrome need to live fully independent lives; [188885]
(4) for what reason people with Asperger's syndrome are referred to as presenting a low risk to independence in the Department's publication Fair Access to Care 2003.[188886]
§ Dr. LadymanThere are no plans to review the "Fair access to care services" practice guidance, which was updated in March 2003.
It is a matter for social services to assess the needs of people including those with Asperger's syndrome. Each individual, regardless of any underlying condition is assessed on individual need and in the light of local eligibility criteria.
The example in "Fair access to care services" does not mean that everyone with Asperger s syndrome has low support needs.