Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 715: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in South Tipperary that currently provide ABA for educating children with autism; the number of students currently partaking in ABA in south Tipperary; the number of schools planned to provide ABA in south Tipperary for the next five years; and the number of additional places that will be provided in ABA education for children with autism in the next five years. [11424/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department and the National Council for Special Education have been working hard to ensure that all autistic children have access to appropriate education.

Whereas a few years ago, most parents of children with autism had no option but to send them to a special school, now they have three distinct choices available to them. Their child can either attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required, they can attend a special class in a mainstream school or they can attend a special school. While some children with autism can thrive in a mainstream class, special classes have been specifically designed to meet the needs of those who require more intensive support.

Children in these classes benefit from having fully-qualified teachers who have access to training in a range of autism-specific interventions, including Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Teachers who are familiar with different methods can tailor these to the needs of the individual child. Children in mainstream schools also have the option where appropriate of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

In excess of 285 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country, twenty one of which are in the Tipperary area, while more are being set up as required. There is a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them on a case by case basis. In addition, there are in the region of 2,100 children with autism who are receiving additional teaching and/or special needs assistant support in mainstream schools.

The National Council for Special Education will continue to establish additional autism classes in the Tipperary area where the need arises.