Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Questions (54)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

54. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policy regarding applied behavioural analysis intervention in the education of children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18116/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department supports the use of ABA and training is provided for teachers in its use. However, the Department does not accept, based on research, advice and best practice, that ABA should be the only approach used. While ABA helps to improve behaviour, other approaches, such as Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS) are just as important in developing children's communication and speech skills. It is important that children have access to a range of approaches so that their broader needs can be met. As children differ significantly from one another and as children's needs vary and change over time, it is not possible to impose a method or approach that will work for all children with autism. This child centred approach is based on advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS, the Inspectorate and the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism.

The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism. 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 as well as any other research which may be available and which the NCSE considers merits consideration. It will be open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process and I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.