Autism: McInnes Slams Service Disparity

12.00.00am GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

North East MSP Alison McInnes today called on the Scottish Government to do more to address disparities in the quality of service provision for people with autism in Scotland.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday's) debate on autism, McInnes cited differences in the North East, where Aberdeen City Council has recently cut specialist homecare for people with autism.

Meanwhile in Aberdeenshire, which has a far higher prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Disorders than its city neighbour, the Council provides specialist one-to-one services for all those who have been assessed as needing it.

"The Scottish Government must grasp the nettle and give local councils essential funding to provide specialist autism services for people who need it, no matter where they live," said the Liberal Democrat MSP.

"Aberdeenshire Council have demonstrated how much can be achieved through excellent cooperation with agencies, and a level of funding that recognises the particular needs of people with autism. As a result people who need it receive the support of highly trained specialists, which is surely the right of all people with ASD in Scotland."

She also called on the Government to ensure that the Scottish Autism Service Network is maintained. The previous Labour/Liberal Democrat Executive directed £300,000 to set up the Scottish Autism Service Network in 2005, and the Network has played a key role in interagency service provision since then.

According to Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop of Strathclyde University's National Centre for Autism Studies, "a decision to sustain the network would be visionary".