Written answers

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Autism Support Services

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans in place to develop autism spectrum disorder units at primary and secondary level schools in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the numbers of those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in County Tipperary; the number of autism spectrum disorder units in Tipperary and their location and capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22506/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

There are approximately 14,000 students with ASD in the school system.

- 63% are educated in mainstream classes

- 23% are educated in special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and

- 14% are educated in special schools.

In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.

The Deputy will also be aware that it is the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in communities where the need for such classes has been identified.

Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are currently over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post primary level of which 765 are for children with Autism. This figure will increase to 1,153 special classes available next year of which 889 will be for children with Autism.

The NCSE has advised that for the coming school year there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.

Of these there will be 42 ASD classes in Co. Tipperary, including 8 Early Intervention Classes for children who are not yet school going age, 20 primary school classes and 14 post primary level classes in mainstream schools. 6 of these classes are new classes due to open in September 2016, 5 in primary schools and 1 in a post primary school. This will result in the provision of 48 places in early intervention classes, 120 places for primary school pupils and 84 places for post primary pupils in Co. Tipperary. There are currently 5 ASD special classes at primary level in Clonmel.

Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs , including those in Co. Tipperary, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, with new classes identified.

The NCSE's Policy Advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Schools which was published on 15th July 2016 indicates a national ASD prevalence rate of 1.5% or 1 in every 65 students. The NCSE does not have a prevalence rate specific to Co. Tipperary.

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