Dr. Barry Coughlan:

With regard to an autism register, in terms of strategic planning and strategic development that must be based on data, not only for children's services but for adult services. I am very much in favour of an autism register. It is the way forward and data-driven services are the way to go. This is a complex condition and there are multiple layers and elements to it. We are seeing that not only in children's services, but when those children transition to adult services they bring with them lots of complexities and there are huge resource implications in that. The children we see today will be the adults of tomorrow so an autism register would be hugely beneficial.