Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 30 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 November 2006. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Autism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to issue guidance to schools on assisting those children with autism who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and who engage in disruptive behaviour.

Answer: Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) will benefit from the initiatives to support children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and to improve behaviour along with other children. However, the Government recognise that to meet autistic children's needs fully, including their behavioural needs, requires intervention which is informed by an understanding of autism. ‘The Good Practice Guidance on ASDs’, which my Department and the Department of Health published in 2002, includes pointers to good practice on addressing these children's behavioural needs. The Government's response to the Education and Skills Committee's report on special educational needs includes a commitment to develop a pack for teachers, working with the Department's Autism Working Group, on making effective provision for children with ASDs. We will consider whether to include in the pack practical guidance on dealing with disruptive behaviour.

Secondary information