Coulter calls for additional funding for autism services

Dr Coulter made his observation during a special debate on autism services at Stormont.

He said: “I declare an interest in that my grandson is severely autistic, and I am the chairperson of the board of governors of a special school in which maADVERTISEMENTny autistic children are being taught and helped.

“The facts are plain and simple: this Minister of Health, my party colleague Michael McGimpsey, has done and is doing more to develop services for people and families affected by autism than any Minister in this or the previous Assembly.

“The Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Network Group plays a key role in the Minister’s strategy to develop services for people affected by autism. It is delivering on the ground.

“No one in the Chamber would suggest that there is not a need to improve services for people affected by autism in Northern Ireland. Therefore, on coming into office, the Minister of Health initiated an independent review of ASD services chaired by Lord Maginnis.

“As an outcome of the review, the Minister launched an ASD action plan to drive improvements in the service for the benefit of all those affected. The Minister has invested 15 million in autism services to date, and I have been informed that further investment is on the way. That is delivering.

“A major achievement in the action plan was the establishment of the regional ASD network group. The aim of that multidisciplinary, multi-agency regional group is to provide a regional perspective on the development of autism services and to oversee the action plan. “The need to understand the different complexities across Northern Ireland is crucial to successful solutions, and I congratulate the group on its work to date.

“The regional ASD network group is chaired by Dr Stephen Bergin, a psychiatrist with multiple medical degrees, who has vast experience in the field of autism.

“The work of the network group has been open and transparent, and one of its aims has been to communicate with service users such as parents, carers and the voluntary sector; and I can verify that through my own family experience.

“To facilitate that aim, the group held a series of meetings across Northern Ireland, and the regional ASD network has been supported by the regional ASD reference group, chaired by Lord Maginnis, to provide valuable experience and advice from parents, carers and individuals affected by ASD, as well as voluntary and community sector representatives.

“The group is open and transparent and has the interest of people affected by autism at its heart. The group is doing a marvellous job to help parents, children and teachers.

“I see that when I look at my grandson and the children in the school of which I am chairman of the board of governors. I see the work that is being done with those children and their families to ease their suffering.”