Question reference: S5W-02352
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 6 September 2016
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 September 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to young people with Asperger's who are (a) sitting exams and (b) planning to enter work after leaving school.
Answer
The Scottish Government want all children and young people to receive the support that they need to reach their full learning potential. This includes support when sitting exams and support for young people planning to enter the workforce.
For young people with an additional support need such as Asperger's who are sitting exams, a request can be made to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for reasonable adjustments to be made to remove barriers or mitigate adverse impacts. Responsibility for making such a request falls to the responsible body involved, as teachers are best placed to assess the specific needs of each young person. Where a request for an adjustment is made, the SQA will determine whether it is reasonable, based on individual need and on the need to maintain the standard and integrity of the qualification.
The Scottish Government, working in partnership with other agencies, has developed a number of strategies to improve the readiness of young people, including those with Asperger's, to join the workforce. The Scottish government also provides funding for a range of organisations that specialise in providing employment support for people with Autism.