Question reference: S5W-17807
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 23 July 2018
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 22 August 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the suggestion in the Microsegmentation Project, which it funded through Scottish Autism, what its position is on the microsegmentation of the autism spectrum, and what the recognised qualifications are for each microsegment.
Answer
The Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum Report was commissioned as a recommendation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism. The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the findings and recommendations of this report, published on 22 March 2018, in partnership with Integration Joint Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships. The report is available from the following link: https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00533382.pdf .
In response to the question “what the recognised qualifications are for each microsegment”. Following clarification of this question it has been established that the question is “What is the criteria for each microsegment” The criteria is explained as follows:
The eight segments have been developed from the survey data of a sample of approximately 1,000 individuals, combined with the evidence base from the literature. The criteria for each segment are as set out below. The criteria within each main segment for with or without additive risks are also explained below.
Segment 1: Asperger profile. No ID.
Criteria: Individuals who either have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome or who are diagnosed as having an autism spectrum disorder, with clinically normal language and intellectual development, and without severe early onset symptoms.
Segment 2: Autism/other ASD profile. No ID.
Criteria: Individuals with a diagnosis of childhood autism, atypical autism, or PDD-NOS, or autism spectrum disorder, but without intellectual disability.
Segment 3: Autism/other ASD profile. Mild ID (scores 50-70).
Criteria: Individuals with a diagnosis of childhood autism, atypical autism, or PDD-NOS, or autism spectrum disorder, with mild intellectual disability, that is, with standard scores for intelligence and adaptive functioning falling in the range 50-70.
Segment 4: Autism/other ASD profile. Moderate/severe ID (scores 50-70).
Criteria: Individuals with a diagnosis of childhood autism, atypical autism, or PDD-NOS, or autism spectrum disorder, with moderate or severe intellectual disability, that is, with standard scores for intelligence and adaptive functioning falling below 50.
Within each of the four main segments there are two divisions:
A: those who meet criteria for the profile applying to that segment, but who do not have additive risks, that is, who do not have co-occurring conditions in addition to their autism spectrum disorder.
B: those who meet criteria for the profile applying to that segment, but who do have additive risks, that is, who have one or more co-occurring conditions in addition to their autism spectrum disorder, such as ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder or any other diagnosable mental health disorder.