(UK) Brighton and Hove schools see autism has "risen markedly" over 3 yrs

Nov 6, 2018, Brighton and Hove News: Officials back specialist autism centres for two Brighton and Hove schools https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2018/11/06/officials-back-specialist-autism-centres-for-two-brighton-and-hove-schools/ The number of children with autism in Brighton and Hove has risen markedly over the past three years. And two secondary schools have pitched for funding to help them cater for the increase. Hove Park and Dorothy Stringer hope to make use of a £2 million [$2.6M US dollars] donation from a charitable trust as well as £500,000 [$660,000 US dollars] funding from the government. At the same time Brighton and Hove City Council said that it was working with local support groups to make changes aimed at improving provision for children with autism. … An update report – to the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee – said that in January there were 417 children with autism as the main condition requiring support in Brighton and Hove. These were children who had a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan – and the number had gone up from 289 in January 2015. … The Cullum Family Trust is looking at making a £2 million donation, working in partnership with the National Autistic Society to build specialist facilities in mainstream schools. And, the report said, last year the council bid successfully for £500,000 from the Department for Education to help fund new facilities over three years….