Support system for children with autism 'is broken'

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The government is committed to reforming the system of educational support for children with autism.

"The current system has been broken for too long, and we are committed to fix it," said Maria Miller, disability minister.

Miller was speaking at the launch of the National Autistic Society's (NAS) new campaign, 'Great Expectations' in Parliament on Monday night.

The campaign aims to 'inform and influence' the government's special educational needs and disability green paper released in March, which proposes a radical shake-up to the way in which support is delivered.

Proposals in the green paper include replacing statements with a new 'education, health and care plan', and allowing families the option of a personal budget to spend on the care of their children with complex support needs.

Miller spoke of the government's desire to ensure autistic children's needs are identified much sooner.

"It should be much easier for parents to win the support for their children," she said.

However, Miller spoke of the importance of receiving input from people who currently receive support on the ground.

"We need your input to make sure that the proposals cover everything that is required," she said.

Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham pledged the Labour Party's support for the government's proposals as an issue that "crosses party lines".

Whilst agreeing with what the government is aiming to do, Burnham did go on to express a note of caution over some of the proposals within the paper.

"I do hope that changes to the way that local authorities are funded centrally will not hollow out the services that they can provide and the support they can give to families.

"I am also worried a little about the move away from inclusion. I think we should be supporting every family, to give them a choice in education.

"There shouldn't be any assumptions away from inclusion; my judgment is that the assumption should be towards inclusion, but if families want something different they should be supported in that choice too," he said

A Mother of a child with autism, gave a harrowing account of her struggle to receive the right support for her son.

She cited her son's high intellect as a barrier against the support they so greatly need.

"Academic ability has nothing to do with ability, yes my son could sit a GCSE maths paper now and pass, but this will not dissipate his anger and self-hate.

"Autism may be a hidden disability, but it is a very real disability.

"Would you ask the academic ability of a wheelchair user, before granting support?" she said.

Full of hope when first hearing of the government's proposed changes to the way in which support is delivered for children with autism, after studying the green paper the speaker noted her disappointment.

"In its present form only children who are currently statemented will be eligible for the new 'education, health and care plan'.

"So the service gap will continue to exist and our children will continue to be failed by the system," she said.

Speaking in her role as president of the NAS, Jane Asher called the green paper a "golden opportunity".

Although nervous about the plans to replace statementing with care plans, Asher welcomed the opportunity to work with the government to ensure the right support is delivered.

"We want to work with the government and make this right. I think it is a fantastic opportunity," she said.

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