David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 587: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there has been a review of educational provision for people affected with all types of autistic spectrum disorders including Asperger syndrome at pre-school, primary, secondary and third level; when this took place; the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17551/09]

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

There have been many reports and reviews conducted worldwide on educational provision for children and young adults with autism. In its October 2001 report, the Task Force on Autism made many recommendations concerning broad educational provision for children on the autistic spectrum from pre-school through to third level. These recommendations provided a basis for the development of educational services and supports for children with autism including the establishment of a range of options for children with autism spectrum disorders, training for teachers in autism-specific approaches and interventions and early educational intervention. In responding to the recommendations, my Department has given priority to implementing the core legislative and structural measures required to underpin service development and delivery.

The Task Force on Autism in Northern Ireland published in April 2002 consulted widely with professionals, reviewed a wide range of literature on autism and invited experts on autism to address the group. It found preference for no single approach but concludes that single methods by themselves may not address effectively the triad of impairments associated with ASD. It concluded that the interventions should be child-centred rather than method-centred and should address the observed and unique needs of the child and any variation in these which occurs over time and across settings and situations.

My Department's Inspectorate carried out an Evaluation of Educational Provision for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) which was published in 2006. The report describes an evaluation of the education that is provided for children with ASD in a variety of settings nationwide. The elements of good practice identified during the evaluation process and in the literature review form the basis for the report's recommendations.

This report makes a number of recommendations including: - all children with ASDs be provided with a broad and relevant curriculum that addresses the triad of impairments, accommodates the special educational needs of the child, attends to developmental and adaptive needs, addresses the management of behaviour and provides curricular experiences that are concerned with the holistic development of each child; - those involved in implementing learning and teaching programmes for children with ASDs should have a recognised teaching qualification.

My Department continues to keep relevant international research under review.