Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. This matter concerns the provision of applied behavioural analysis schools for children on the northside with autistic spectrum disorders. The northside has a serious shortage of places for such children. There is one school in Kilbarrack, the only one on the northside. It has 30 places for which there is a waiting list of 48. ACORN, the school concerned, has offered 12 places but already 31 children are waiting for those places. It is the virtually uniform and strong belief of parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders that applied behavioural analysis is the preferred way to deal with children. They have provided an excellent document in support of this application which I hope the Minister of State has an opportunity to examine. It describes the particular disabilities of children with autism and the particular relevance of the applied behavioural approach to their needs. It goes on to cite international opinion which shows there is a consensus that the applied behavioural analysis is the most successful educational intervention. In the US that system is the automatic preference. The New York State Department of Health states: "Based upon strong scientific evidence, it is recommended that principles of applied behavioural analysis and behavioural intervention strategies be included as an important element of any intervention programme for young children with autism".

It is clear there is a strong desire among parents of children with autism that this is the best way for their children. There are many who are extremely passionate about this model. I am sure the Minister of State has had representations on the matter. It is extraordinary that our Department, despite having committed itself to the Education Disability Act which provides that the needs of the child must be paramount, continues to resist providing the applied behavioural analysis approach and to persist with the system that provides much less personal support to these children. There is a genuine fear that this is about economics and that the reason the Minister of State is not willing to commit to it is that by the standard approach it is a ratio of six children to one teacher, plus two special needs assistants while the applied behavioural analysis system is a one

I was alarmed to see among the correspondence I received that the Minister for Education and Science has consistently refused to meet Irish Autism Action, the national umbrella organisation for promoting this form of education. Scales need to fall from the eyes of the people within the Department of Education and Science who need to recognise this is not only the wish of parents but also internationally proven to be a preferred approach. If the Minister of State does not have a positive response I hope he will convey the strength of feeling of parents to the Minister.

See this speech in context