Chamber and committees

There are currently no specific incentives for clinical psychologists to train in autistic spectrum disorders. However, the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) is considering a number of initiatives to ensure that the training strategy for clinical psychology remains responsive to changing service needs.There are also no specific incentives available for teachers to specialise and train in autism and Asperger's syndrome. Teachers are expected to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) as part of their work, and will be expected to fulfil an additional 35 hours CPD from August 2003. The Chartered Teacher programme, to be available from August 2003, is likely to include a module on Special Educational Needs which may cover these syndromes. An additional pay increment is available with every two modules passed. General practitioners, like other professionals, are encouraged to look at their own personal learning needs and the health needs of their patients and to seek training in specific areas accordingly. Guidance and assistance is available from SCPMDE via the postgraduate Directors of General Practice Education. Each GP already receives an annual Postgraduate Education Allowance to support an agreed amount of training.A theoretical knowledge of autistic spectrum disorder is required for all candidates sitting the examination for membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is the first-level qualification for all those aspiring to become consultant psychiatrists. In the second phase of training, as specialist registrars, candidates for child and adolescent psychiatry posts will all be trained in the assessment, management and collaborative approach to the problems experienced by people with autistic spectrum disorder, and those who care for them.

It is the responsibility of each trust, as the employer, to ensure that individuals have the training required to provide effective patient care. The amount of additional training provided locally by trusts for the treatment of specific conditions will differ according to local needs. Information on such training is not available centrally but will be held by local NHS management. Contact details for NHS management personnel are available on www.show.scot.nhs.uk, should the member wish information for particular employers.

The National Research Register (NRR) reports that there are no research projects on links between autism and dementia. A copy of the NRR is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404).

Psychologists should be familiar with the concept of the triad of impairments characteristic of autism, the range of autistic spectrum disorders and the most common approaches to teaching autistic children.Their understanding should arise from their training - where they are introduced to literature on autism - and through practical experience of working with children with autism during placements. In addition, educational psychologists already in post will have opportunities to update their knowledge of autism through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18479 on 15 October 2001.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The training of non-teaching classroom staff is a matter for local authorities. A Professional Development Award for Classroom Assistants has been developed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority that contains optional modules dealing with children with special educational needs. In addition, the Local Government National Training Organisation has developed national occupational standards for classroom assistants for an Scottish Vocational Qualification at level 3 which also contains optional modules dealing with special educational needs.

I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20011.

This information is not held centrally. Information on waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant, following referral, is collected at speciality level only.

The information requested is not held centrally. Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital in-patients and day cases.