Vol. 518 No. 6
597 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the training in social skills for children with Asperger's Syndrome that is provided by his Department or through his Department in conjunction with other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12949/00]
Pupils with autism, including those with Asperger's Syndrome, have impairment in the area of social skills. This impairment is manifested by their inability to understand the behaviour of other people and to relate to them accordingly. The aim of social skills training with children who have Asperger's Syndrome is to improve their understanding of other people's, and their own, non-verbal behaviour, so that they are enabled to interpret the meaning of social situations. Pupils also need to be equipped with the correct responses to certain social situations.
Specific skills such as greeting people, conversation skills, making eye contact, having appropriate posture, gestures, facial expression among others need to be agreed and taught in social situations, in school and at home. Training in social skills is a matter for co-operative effort between parents and schools and forms part of the programme to be followed in school and at home with children who have Asperger's Syndrome.
I have recently announced the establishment of a task force on autism to examine models of provision and to make recommendations to me within three months.
