PLANS to build a new £200,000 autism resource centre at a York school have received a mixed response from parents.

City of York Council has committed funding to build an Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Enhanced Resource Centre extending part of Fulford School and providing a "refuge" for around ten students from across the autistic spectrum.

York mum Mandy Brunskill, of Clifton, a founder member of the York Autism and Asperger's Support Group, said the plans would only cater for children in mainstream education with milder forms of autism such as Asperger's Syndrome.

She said however they would not provide the respite care needed for children with sever autism and their families.

Last year, City of York Council agreed to provide the £4,000-a-week needed to secure a full-time place for Mandy's severely autistic 12-year-old Liam at a residential home in Doncaster.

Then the Evening Press ran an article about the stress the situation had caused Liam and also his family - parents Mandy and Rod, and sister Amy.

Liam will stay in Doncaster until he is 19, when he will move on to the attached college, then on to a community house.

However Mick Waudby, chairman of Autism in Mainstream (AIM), has a 13-year-old son Adam who goes to Archbishop Holgate's and has Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism and welcomed the centre.

AIM has campaigned for two years to get the centre and has been working closely with the council and the school throughout.

He said: "It was never meant as a residential facility and is aimed more towards youngsters with Asperger's.

"It should mean the children their will get a better chance at education where previously they might have struggled or have been failed by the system.

"Obviously it won't cater for all children or please all parents, but it will mean a lot to the children who are educated there."

Fulford School headmaster Stephen Smith said: "This room will give the children a safe haven to withdraw to for certain lessons or to learn specific skills and will be an invaluable resource to students at the school."

Coun Carol Runciman, Executive member for education, said: "The most important thing is that the children involved can stay in their own city and near their families rather than being sent out of the city to residential and often expensive placements.

"Specialist provision within the community is what we are looking to provide wherever it is suitable. It won't be in all cases, but it may be in more than we can provide it for at present."

A new teacher has already been appointed to run the unit and will start at the school at Easter ahead of the centre opening in September.

Updated: 09:23 Wednesday, January 19, 2005