Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the specific courses in her Department that are available for parents with teenagers who are on the autism spectrum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32926/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While my Department does not directly provide courses for parents with teenagers who have autism, the Deputy may be aware of the Middletown Centre for Autism which is an initiative jointly funded between my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. The Centre is aimed at supporting the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders. The Centre provides a comprehensive nationwide training service for parents and educational professionals.

The opportunities offered through the Centre for parental training include:

- Full day, Morning and Twilight sessions are delivered both north and south on a range of autism specific topics for both parents and professionals.

- Parent groups and individual schools can request bespoke training sessions using an online application form.

Parents can view the range of courses which the Centre has available through the website www.middletownautism.com.