The report of the Task Group on Autism, a body set up in autumn 2000, acknowledged that it was not possible to know the precise number of pre-school-age children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and that they may not be diagnosed until they are older. But, it said, 'it is evident that there are increasing numbers of children with this diagnosis under four years'. The report added that figures from the country's five Education and Library Boards had found in the year before compulsory education begins some 85 children, 46 in mainstream settings, identified as having ASD.
The charity Parents and Professionals Autism (PAPA) pointed out that these figures reflect a prevalence rate of 70 children per 10,000 of the Province's population, whereas ten years ago only 'a handful' of children were diagnosed as autistic. It asked why there were now in excess of 1,000 children with ASD in Northern Ireland.
PAPA director Arlene Cassidy described the report as 'a wake-up call for administrators in health and education'. She called on Assembly members and policymakers to implement its recommendations. 'The Department of Education has had the courage to put the future of our children above cost-saving exercises. In publishing the task group report the Department has set a clear benchmark by which services can be measured and judged,' she said.
The report said there needed to be significant improvements in access to multi-agency diagnostic and assessment services; training for parents and people working with children with ASD; and therapeutic and educational provision based both at home and at school.
