Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing 50 applied behaviour analysis schools for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12171/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, in school settings.

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 which can be supported by Special Needs Assistants and 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) as well as the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

The use of ABA as part of the range of interventions is particularly useful for addressing behavioural issues. My Department supports the use of ABA and training is provided for teachers in its use. However, my Department does not accept, based on research, advice and best practice, that ABA should be the only approach used. While ABA helps to improve behaviour, other approaches, such as a number of those to which I have referred are just as important in developing children's communication and speech skills.

All recognised schools must operate in line with this policy. This policy has been informed by published research, including the Report of the Task Force on Autism (2001) and the Evaluation of Educational Provision for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (2006).

My Department has recently received the NCSE's policy advice on supporting students with ASD. My officials will consider and report to me on any recommendations which relate to the issues raised by the Deputy.

The estimated cost of providing 50 Applied Behaviour Analysis schools cannot be established by my Department.