Vol. 517 No. 3
288 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to develop the concept of a personal education plan for children with autism in order that various support services needed could be identified at an early date and a systematic plan put in place to develop their time date provision for each child. [9731/00]
The question of the provision and delivery of support services for all categories of pupils with special educational needs is under active consideration within my Department. Issues such as those the Deputy is raising are being discussed with reference to all categories with special needs, including pupils with autism.
289 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the training specifically related to autism which has been provided to teachers who are providing service in the outreach units established recently be his Department for children with these needs; and the plans, if any, he has to develop initial and continuous in-service training for these staff. [9732/00]
A week's induction course was held in January for the teachers of special classes for pupils with autism. Financial support is given on an on-going basis to individual teachers to attend particular courses in this area. The provision of training and support for teachers of all categories of pupils with special educational needs at both primary and post-primary levels, including those with autism, is at present under active consideration in my Department.
290 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which training in special needs and, in particular, in autism is a part of normal training for primary teachers. [9733/00]
The pre-service training of primary teachers equips them to deal with a range of pupil diversity, including pupils with learning difficulties. Students at the two larger colleges of education follow a module in special education as part of their basic teacher training. The two expert groups which were appointed on teachers' pre-service education are reviewing the need for training in this particular area.
A very small number of teachers at primary level will work with pupils who present with autism. It is considered that the most appropriate way to meet their training needs is through the provision of specialised courses for teachers at post-graduate level.
