Dick Spring
Question:89 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children affected with autism awaiting services; the number receiving appropriate services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7779/99]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Information on the total number of children who have been diagnosed with autism and who are awaiting services is not readily available in my Department.
Children with autism have access to a range of educational support services. The precise nature of the support provided will depend on the severity of the condition in each case.
In some cases, children with mild features of autism are educated in ordinary schools with the support, where necessary, of remedial or resource teachers. Children with more serious needs were traditionally catered for in a number of special schools, including schools for children with mild general learning disability and schools for children with emotional-behavioural disorders.
I recently announced my Department's formal recognition of the distinct educational needs of certain children with autism. Such children are now being catered for in 40 special classes established in special schools and in mainstream primary schools throughout the country. Twenty-eight of these classes have been newly established since the commencement of the current school year. Each of these classes caters for a maximum of six pupils and each class has the support of a special needs assistant. The current enrolment of these classes is not readily available in my Department. However, these special classes can cater for up to 240 pupils.
My Department's inspectorate is currently investigating the possibility of establishing a number of additional special classes for children with autism in a variety of locations throughout the country. Such classes will be established in any area where the need for such provision has been identified.