Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 5 November 2013, if applied behavioural analysis is used in the 76 early intervention classes for children with autism provided in recognised primary and special schools; and if ABA is used in some of these classes, if he will specify the number of schools using this method. [10081/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As my Department promotes a child -centred approach to the education of children with autism, it is a matter for schools to determine the approach or mix of approaches which they will use. Accordingly details on the number of early intervention classes for children with autism who use ABA are not available.

The Deputy will be aware from my previous response that my Department's policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. The preferred approach is that children with autism are educated in school settings where children may have access to individualised education programmes (IEPs), fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS). My Department supports the use of ABA and training is provided for teachers in its use.