Extra Scottish finance for autism

The Scottish executive has allocated almost £2 million towards providing services for children and adults with autism.

Most of the funding will be given to the Greater Glasgow and Lothian health boards, which will each receive £750,000 over three years to develop "one-stop shops" for adults and families living with the condition.

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow will receive £53,000 towards a study into autism, while £80,000 will be spend developing new educational resources for health workers.

A further £300,000 will be spent on providing information packs for families and professionals who deal with autism, which were originally developed by a family in Argyll.

"This is the only pack that pulls together all relevant material for families and professionals," said deputy health minister Tom McCabe.

"I know it has been much appreciated in Argyll and I hope others across Scotland will see the benefit too."

The additional funding has been welcomed by the National Autistic Society in Scotland.

"We welcome the executive's recognition that the needs of people with autism and their families in Scotland are a priority, particularly after diagnosis when many families tell us that they struggle to access local advice and information.

"We are pleased that the executive has responded to some of our key concerns, such as the need for autism training for health and care workers and the need to develop services for adults with autism across Scotland."