Autistic children 'missing out on educational support'
There are just 1,000 more autistic children receiving educational support in the Republic of Ireland than in the North despite having around four times the population.
Just over 4,000 kids are getting help in schools in the Republic of Ireland, according to the Department of Education, compared with 3,200 in the North.
Autism services were the subject of a special all-Ireland conference in Dublin today attended by Education Minister Mary Hanafin and her northern counterpart Catriona Ruane.
Ms Ruane said the number with the condition in Northern Ireland schools had doubled in the last five years.
“In 2003, the Census recorded just over 1,600 children with autism in the North in receipt of special educational provision,” Ms Ruane said.
“By 2007, that number had doubled to 3,200. Whether this rapid increase is a result of an increase in the prevalence of autism – or whether it is that we are getting better at recognising the symptoms and diagnosing the condition, I do not know.”
There are 2,100 children in 285 special autism classes across the State with around a further 2,000 in mainstream education, according to the Department of Education.
Ms Hanafin said more than one hundred of these classes were set up in the last year.
She praised the principals and boards of management for opening such units at their respective schools.
“I acknowledge that it takes strong leadership to deliver these units, but the benefits are hugely positive for all children attending the school as well as the children with Autism who are supported in their education,” she said.
“The National Council for Special Education will continue to establish special classes for children with autism where the need is identified.”
A spokesman for the Department of Education in the North said the vast majority of children were in mainstream classes although there were a number of specialist units.
Ms Ruane said her department took the provision of autism services seriously.
She also highlighted the work of the all-Ireland Middleton Centre for Autism in Co Armagh and said officials from both sides of the border were working to ensure its success.
The one-day conference at Croke Park was chaired by President of the Psychological Society of Ireland Dr Mitchell Fleming.
It was also addressed by a number of autism experts including representatives from Irish Autism Action who talked about the role of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
Officials from the Departments of Education on both sides of the border were present, along with representatives of school management bodies, politicians serving on education committees and health professionals.
