Written answers

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Department of Education and Science

Special Educational Needs

9:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 438: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an ABA school for autistic children in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19851/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants and the appropriate school curriculum with the option, in line with each child's ability, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

Parents of children with autism now have three distinct choices available to them: their child can attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required; they can attend a special autism-specific class in a mainstream school or in 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 can tailor these to the needs of the individual child. These students have the option, where appropriate, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. In excess of 315 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level, while more may be set up as required. 13 of these classes are in Co. Kerry.

My Department is currently funding a number of ABA pilot centres which were established in the absence of this network of special classes in our schools. The Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot programme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported them as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that the issue is being actively progressed. However, now that a national network of special classes catering specifically for children with autism is available in schools, new centres will not be brought into the pilot programme.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.