Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson today welcomed the SNP Government’s new guidance proposals on autism. This new guidance is one which aims to improve those services which identify and support children and young people with autism.
The advisory proposal, which coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, will offer best practice examples as well as recommendations including awareness training for all staff and facilitate people with autism in the planning of such services. One aspect of the new guidance is the development of an Autism Toolkit to offer guidance to education authorities and schools in identifying and supporting children and young people with autism. The Autism Toolkit is due to be launched later this year.
Commenting on the announcement Mr Stevenson said:
“Fundamental to ensuring that those with autism and their families receive the necessary support is one which centres on raising awareness of the behavioural characteristic of autism in children and young people.
“With autism a lifelong learning disability which occurs in varying degrees of severity, it is often difficult to recognise symptoms in those who suffer from a milder form. The impact of this can be devastating on children and young people who can suffer from social exclusion and bullying at school.
“This is why I am particularly looking forward to the publication of the Autism Toolkit to give guidance to education authorities and schools. Identifying autism in children and young people is essential in the provision of strong support networks as they grow and develop.
“It must not be forgotten however that we need to increase awareness of autism not only in children but also in adults. In this respect I refer to the “I Exist” campaign by the National Autistic Society in Scotland that is doing great work in raising awareness of issues surrounding adult sufferers of Autism.
“Having received numerous letters from constituents in Banff & Buchan regarding support services for autism suffers I am sure this will give them reassurance that the SNP Government is working hard to improve services and raise awareness of autism.”
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
