Vol. 536 No. 3
249 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the method employed by the State to educate children with autism; if the ABA mode is used anywhere with State assistance other than in the CABAS pilot project in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/01]
Children on the autistic spectrum have access to a range of models of educational provision. In many cases, such children attend special dedicated classes attached to special schools or attached to ordinary primary schools. A total of approximately 80 such classes have been established to date. All these classes operate at a pupil teacher ratio of 6:1 and each class also has the support of two special needs assistants. Children attending these facilities also attract special rates of capitation funding.
Children on the autistic spectrum may also attend ordinary schools on a fully integrated basis, where they can be supported by the resource teacher and special needs assistants services. Apart from the range of school based models referred to above, some children on the autistic spectrum are availing of a variety of other models of response. In addition to the CABAS project to which the Deputy refers, a number of children are attending the ICANDO facility which uses an applied behavioural analysis model of response. There are also a number of cases where children are receiving a home tuition service based on the applied behavioural analysis approach.
I have established a special task force on autism. The remit of the task force is to review the adequacy of the current range of educational responses to children on the autistic spectrum, including responses based on the applied behavioural analysis approach, and to make recommendations on the future development of services in this area. I expect to receive the report of the task force shortly.
