First, it is essential that accessible and appropriate education be provided for people affected by autism. Although some of the difficulties experienced by people with autism are shared by those with other forms of disability, there are particular difficulties inherent in autism which require understanding and specialised educational techniques. I read that from the schedules to the basic charter adopted by the International Association Autism Europe Congress held in The Hague, Holland, on 10 May 1992 they have a list of 19 rights in their charter for persons with autism. No. 3 refers to the right of people with autism to accessible and appropriate education.
I ask the Minister of State to be as straight as possible in dealing with my request that the Department of Education, as a matter of urgency, recognises the autism syndrome. At present children with autism are mixed with children who are emotionally disturbed. I gather that the Minister will acknowledge there is a specific difference that will and should be recognised.
There is a basic need for individual educational programmes, with parental involvement, if children with autism are to have their requirements met. I am pleased to inform the Minister that the findings of a recent study of autism in Ireland undertaken by Michael Fitzgerald, John O'Connor, Gail Birkbeck and Pat Matthews, the final draft of which is being prepared, will be made available to her shortly.
Within the limited time available to me I want to highlight the fact that staff training and awareness of autism are totally inadequate at present. To illustrate this point I will give the House a couple of statistics. For example, 50 per cent of staff involved in autism services reported that their knowledge of autism arose from an in-service seminar, 16 per cent had no training whatsoever and 45 per cent only used the term "autism" when discussing children's needs with parents; they were inclined to refer to a child or children with disturbed behaviour, mental handicap and so on.
It is time that the Minister and the Department of Education gave the special recognition deserved by children with autism. Why does the Department of Health recognise the existence of autism and through its professional staff implement suitable programmes of care and training for children up to approximately four years of age, while the Department of Education has refused persistently even to recognise its existence? It is indisputable that education and training are the constitutional rights of every child and, in particular, those with autism. Why has the Department of Education refused consistently to provide for their special educational needs?
I have one or two other simple questions to put to the Minister. First, in appendix I of Dr. Michael Mulcahy's submission to the Department of Health on the future needs of persons with autism it is stated that the Department of Education provides services "specifically for persons with autism within the emotionally disturbed categories of children".