North Wales MS and Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross Party Autism Group, Mark Isherwood, has today called for a Welsh Government Statement on the Education of Autistic pupils in Wales following the publication of a damning report which highlights a number of serious failings.
Speaking in this afternoon’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood referred to the findings of Swansea University School of Education’s Preliminary Report on the Education of Autistic Pupils in Wales, which he said reflected his high caseload in this area, and called on the Welsh Government to respond to its findings.
He said:
“Two weeks ago, Swansea University School of Education issued a statement regarding its Preliminary Report on the Education of Autistic Pupils in Wales.
“Its findings include:
- Over ¾ of Autistic Pupils said that being in school causes increased anxiety.
- 3-in-4 say they have been the victim of bullying.
- Over half thought they were not getting enough help during the school day
- and a third felt their teachers did not understand them.
- 1-in-3 parents whose children attend mainstream settings say they were unhappy with the school, in comparison to 4-in-5 of those in specialist provisions being happy with their child’s setting.
- parents told them that 1-in-3 children with a Statement of Educational Need was not given all support or provision detailed within the document.
- 90% of educators have experience of working with Autistic pupils and they felt their Local Authority had been generally unsupportive
- AND four out of five parents, and nearly ¾ of parents whose children currently have a Statement, said neither their Local Authority nor child’s school had given them any information about the introduction of the new Additional Learning Needs Code and what it means for their child.
“This reflects my own high caseload in this area, with those Officers who previously refused to understand Autism continuing to do so, cause pain and blame the parents. I call for a Statement accordingly.”
The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths MS, replied:
“I know the Member does take a very close interest in this topic, and the Minister for Education and his officials will look very closely at the report. It's important that a child receives the correct and appropriate education, and it's very important that, as Ministers, we listen to such experts. And the Minister and his officials will obviously consider the next steps from the report.”