asked the Minister for Education the number of children currently in special education who have been diagnosed as (a) suffering from language disorders, (b) suffering from moderate handicap and visual impairment or (c) autistic; and, under the heading of language disorder, the number of children who have been diagnosed as (i) aphasic, (ii) aphasic with a hearing loss and (iii) having landau syndrome.
Written Answers. - Handicapped and Learning Disabled Children.
478.
Decisions regarding the educational placement of all categories of handicapped and learning disabled children are taken following a comprehensive assessment of every aspect of their functioning ability which is relevant for their educational placement. This involves contributions from a number of professions. Records concerning the functioning ability of pupils are kept in the individual schools. For these reasons the information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department.