Autism Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (250)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

250. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 2 April 2014, if he is concerned about the potential impact on some children of the unacceptable further wait until spring 2015 before his policy document on educating children with autism will be available, in view of the fact it was an expert selected by his officials who provided details to his Department of the research done by Howard et al. in a specifically commissioned report back in 2005 where that piece of specific research concluded the ABA group had significantly higher mean standard scores in almost all skill domains measured and assessed by independent examiners than the other two groups assessed. [17768/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware I requested the NCSE to provide policy advice on the educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders. I specifically asked that they would consult widely with parents, professionals, other stakeholders and interested parties in the preparation of this policy advice.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the Policy Advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced. The advice will also draw upon the research commissioned by the NCSE, which will not be finalised until later this year, as well as any other research which may be available and which the NCSE considers merits consideration, including the research again referred to by the Deputy which I have forward to NCSE in this context.

In the interim children with autism will continue to be supported in line with current policy.