Written answers
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Department of Education and Science
Special Educational Needs
11:00 pm
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 910: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will support Irish Autism Action in its efforts to improve autism services; and the improvement for 2007. [14961/07]
Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. Officials from my Department met recently with Irish Autism Action and a further meeting is planned.
However, my Department's 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 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).
In this regard my Department has established:
188 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools;
5 special classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome;
18 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum;
14 Stand alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodologies on a pilot basis — 2 of these facilities have yet to be established.
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