To ask the Minister for the Economy how many further education colleges provide autism friendly support including a quiet room and support from a specified autism teacher or support officer.

All further education colleges provide a range of additional support for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities including those with autism. This support can range from discrete provision for those unable to access mainstream further education provision through to technical and individual personal support.

The support provided by colleges for students with autism can include classroom support as well as one to one sessions with lecturers, support workers and study skills advisers. The support is provided by teaching and support staff that have had training and/or experience in working with students on the autism spectrum.

Each further education college also has either a dedicated quiet room or space available on each campus or can facilitate access to such a room where this is required by any student including those with autism.