Autism plan sets national agenda

New national guidelines for parents and professionals caring for children who have autism spectrum disorders recommend more specific training, multi-agency working, and support for families to ensure their children's early assessment and diagnosis. The National Autism Plan for Children, produced by the National Initiative for Autism: Screening and Assessment, calls for a range of interventions, including the immediate appointment of a key worker for each family and a care plan developed with them and their child. The guidelines, published last week by the National Autistic Society (NAS) in collaboration with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the...