WALK IN OUR SHOES EVENT

Early day motion 43, tabled 3 December 2008 by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 70 members.

That this House supports Walk In Our Shoes, a national event organised by Treehouse, the national charity for autism education; notes that the event involves Ministers, frontbenchers, hon. Members and councillors spending time with families affected by autism in order better to understand the condition; believes that the event was also an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of autism and to draw attention to the significant contribution that children and young people with autism can make when supported to reach their full potential; congratulates Treehouse for the excellent event which has given decision-makers a real insight into the everyday life of children and young people with autism and the life of their families; further believes that the education system ought to better take account of the needs of children affected by autism, given that they make up 1 in 100 school-aged children in the UK; and calls on the Government to recognise the importance of parent participation in the delivery of services for children with autism and to ensure that the progress and achievements of children with autism are properly acknowledged in the education system.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 22, Conservative 6, DUP 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.