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| Prime Minister Blair backs our Campaign |
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| CLICK on the picture above to watch the Prime Minister on Real Player in PMQs on 9th January 2002 |
Linda Perham (Ilford, North): Will the Prime Minister acknowledge
the success of the British Institute for Brain Injured Children, the Disabilities Trust and my constituents, Ivan and Charika
Corea, in getting 2002 declared as autism awareness year? Will he ensure that the national and local bodies that are responsible
for health, social services and education co-operate in the joined-up provision of services that autistic people and their
families desperately need?
The Prime Minister: Yes, I certainly congratulate my hon. Friend's constituents
and the organisations concerned. Autism awareness year should give us the opportunity to raise the awareness of this condition,
which is very debilitating and is distressing for families; in addition, it should ensure that we can learn more about what
causes autism. She will be pleased to know that, in addition to the measures being taken by the voluntary sector, the Government
are putting more resources and research into exactly how autism occurs and how we should deal with it.
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