AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK

Motion Text

That this House welcomes the launching of Autism Awareness Week from 11th to 18th May, an initiative of the National Autistic Society; believes that the efforts of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK to lobby for more public services in 2003, European Year for People with Disabilities should be supported; notes the Autism Awareness Campaign suggestion for an Autism Compact with Employers will help autistic people access the world of work; views with concern the lack of funding for services for people with autism; calls upon the Government to initiate assessments and a special qualification for people with autism in order for them to survive in a highly competitive job market; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to provide specialist speech therapy for autistic children with communication disorders irrespective of where they live.