Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

251 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, his Department has (i) to include training in teaching autistic children as part of formal teacher training at both primary and secondary teacher training levels (ii) to ensure that teachers and assistants in the outreach classrooms who do not have any formal background in autism will receive one-time training and ongoing training support, preferably outside of school hours and (iii) to establish a long-term education plan between his Department, the Department of Health and Children, parents and Beechpark to ensure that children with autism can move smoothly into second level schooling. [11877/00]

Seán Ryan

Question:

272 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken or will take to ensure that teachers and classroom assistants in the Outreach programme dealing with autistic children are trained and available; his views on whether training on autism needs to be included as part of the teacher training syllabus for both primary and secondary teacher training colleges; and if he will establish a long-term plan involving his Department, the Department of Health and Children and parents on this issue. [12020/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 272 together.

I fully recognise the importance of ensuring that teachers of special needs children, including children with autism, receive the necessary training to enable them to address the special needs involved.

At the level of pre-service training, the existing full-time programmes of pre-service teacher training in the colleges of education contain appropriate elements to assist the student teachers in recognising and dealing with children with special needs, including children with autism.

Review groups were set up in 1999 in my Department to examine pre-service teacher education programmes for primary and post-primary teachers. The group for each area is required to have regard to developments in relation to catering for children with special needs. The reports of both groups are due to be completed later this year.

Since only a relatively small number of teachers at primary and post-primary level will work with pupils who present with autism, it would not be considered practical to amend the pre-service teacher training syllabus for this purpose. It is considered that it would be best to meet the training needs of these teachers through the provision of specialised courses in the context of in-career development.

A substantial range of in-career development courses are provided annually for teachers involved in remedial and special education. These include supports for individuals and groups of teachers to attend specific courses relating to the teaching of children with autism. Teachers who work with children who present with autism may apply to take the diploma in special education course in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra. This course is of one year's duration and deals with a range of special needs issues, including autism.

An induction course was held in January last for the teachers of special classes for pupils with autism. This course will be made available to all other teachers of special classes for children with autism during the current year. Plans have recently been approved for specialist training for resource teachers who work in mainstream post-primary schools with pupils with autism and other special needs. Implementation of these plans is due to commence this autumn.

A special education planning group has been established in my Department to bring forward recommendations for arrangements which should be put in place to ensure the most effective provision of a high quality integrated service for all students with disabilities at all stages of the education system, including children with autism. The focus will be on ensuring that issues such as those raised by the Deputy will be addressed across the spectrum of special needs.

My Department works in close cooperation with the Department of Health and Children and the health boards to ensure the coordinated delivery of support services for children with special needs, including children with autism.