Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the DSM-5 diagnosis method for autism.
Answered by Edward Timpson
The Department for Education has made no assessment of the Diagnostic and Statistical 5 (DSM-5) diagnosis for autism. Diagnostic methods are matters for appropriately qualified professionals. Schools and local authorities have duties to identify, assess and make suitable provision for children with special educational needs whether they have a medical diagnosis or not.