Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will locate an applied behavioural analysis school in the western area; the locations of all such schools nationwide; the number of children attending same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39792/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children in County Mayo with autistic spectrum disorders; and the assistance available to these children from her Department. [39793/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to establish an appropriate educational centre of excellence for children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders; the situation in this regard; if funding will be provided for such a facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39794/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 265, inclusive, together.

The information regarding the number of children diagnosed with autism is not readily available in my Department. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is now operational is currently in the process of compiling a nationwide database of all children with autism. It is expected that this database will be completed in the near future.

My Department considers that children with autism, in common with all children should have access to appropriate provision delivered by suitably qualified teachers within the school system where children can mix with their wider peer group and have maximum opportunities for integration. The preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for children with autism, is through the primary and post primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools, a view that is supported by the findings of the Task Force Report on Autism. My Department's ongoing commitment is to ensuring that all children, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders receive an education appropriate to their needs and in this regard my Department has established: 175 Special Classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools, 6 of which are located in the Mayo area; 5 special Classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome; 16 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum; 12 Stand Alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodology on a pilot basis, four of these facilities are in the Dublin area and one in Galway, Louth, Cork, Waterford, Kildare, Kilkenny, Meath, and Westmeath. These units currently provide in the region of 217 places. Approval has also been given for the establishment of a further two such facilities in Carlow and Waterford.

My Department supports a multi-skills approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available e.g. Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Additional training supports for staff engaged in the education provision for children with special needs including autism can be accessed through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The service will, as appropriate, consolidate, co-ordinate, develop and deliver a range of professional development initiatives and support structures to the relevant staff.

An application was recently received from the group in question to participate in the pilot scheme which has facilitated the establishment of the ABA-specific autism units nationwide. My officials requested that the names and the psychological assessments of the children proposing to attend the centre should be forwarded to the Department in order to progress the application further. My Department is currently awaiting this information.