5 September 2006
Dear Sir,
Older fathers are now being told that if their child has autism they could be to blame (More risk of autism with older fathers, 5 September.) Whatever the reasons for autism, it is surely time to divert some of this attention towards supporting families raising children who have an autistic spectrum disorder.
Research by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities highlights the need for families to receive high quality emotional and practical support, especially since the cost of raising a child with a disability costs three times more than raising a non-disabled child. Fathers especially are often sidelined and excluded from decisions affecting their child.
The Foundation will shortly be working with the National Autistic Society and others to support families of children with autism to make plans for their future. This will provide some practical evidence to show how services can best support families of children with autism.
Molly Mattingly
Assistant Director
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
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