Autism Professionals Gather At Croke Park Conference

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D. officially opened the conference, 'Education through the Spectrum'.

The Northern Minister for Education Caitríona Ruane MLA also addressed the special conference which is being attended by experts and professionals as well as parents' representatives.

Minister Ruane highlighted the work under way in the North to improve the educational provision for children with special education needs. The minister said:

"All children must be given the opportunity to access a quality education that meets their individual needs.

"The collaborative work that is going on between the two education departments has shown real successes and benefited children across this island.

"This conference is a unique opportunity for us to focus specifically on autism and learn from acknowledged experts. Together we can make a difference to the lives of many children."

Opening the conference in Croke Park, Minister Hanafin said; "The objective of this conference is to provide people working with children with autism, North and South, with an opportunity to hear internationally acclaimed speakers address aspects of autism education, to gain knowledge of what works for autistic children and to celebrate what has been achieved to date in both jurisdictions. It will also consider the next steps in providing for the special education needs of children with autism."

The conference is being chaired by Dr Mitchell Fleming who is the current President of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

There will be three key speakers: Dr Rita Jordan, Dr Ian McClure and Dr Patsy Daly - each speaking on a particular theme. The conference is jointly organised by the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Education.

Minister Ruane said: "A further example of co-operation is the Middletown Centre for Autism project which is a joint initiative between my department and the Department of Education and Science.

"It aims to support the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders." Officials from both departments are continuing to work closely together to progress the development of the Middletown Centre for Autism. Minister Ruane noted the increase in identified cases of children with ASD. She said:

"We have seen an increase in the number of children identified as having Autism, with around 3,200 now known.

"One thing we are clear about is that any intervention is centred on the needs of the individual child after considering a range of possible treatments.

"I recognise and commend the work done in the autism units in mainstream schools and the intensive care offered by our special needs schools."

Minister Hanafin said that in the South there are in the region of 2,100 children with autism who are receiving additional teaching and special needs assistant support in mainstream schools. "There are now in excess of 285 autism-specific classes around the country with over 100 of these opening in the past year.

"I want to pay particular tribute to the Principals and Boards of Management who have taken the inclusive step of opening an autism unit for children in their community.

"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.

"The National Council for Special Education will continue to establish special classes for children with autism where the need is identified."