Labour attacks Hanafin on ABA autistic education
In a blunt attack, Labour TD Liz McManus said the Government’s resistance to ABA appeared to arise “from vindictiveness and penny-pinching”. ABA, or applied behaviour analysis, is a form of specialised education which has proved effective for many autistic children. The Government funded 12 ABA schools on a pilot basis but will not fund additional ABA schools as its policy is now focused on educating autistic children in special classes in mainstream schools.
Earlier this month, the co-author of a government taskforce report on autism criticised this approach as “grossly misguided”.
Dr Rita Honan of Trinity College Dublin said the minister’s decision not to provide funding for additional, dedicated ABA classes was wrong. Ms McManus cited Dr Honan’s criticisms last night during a Dáil debate on the issue: “Interestingly, neither the minister nor her department has published any evidence against ABA and increasingly the government’s resistance to ABA appears to arise from vindictiveness and penny-pinching,” she said.
Ms Hanafin had outlined her position on ABA on Tuesday, the first night of the debate: “ABA is one of the interventions used in the education of children with autism, both in special classes in mainstream schools and in special schools. However, while behavioural interventions are significant, other methods such as TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children) and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) are just as important in developing children’s communication and speech skills,” said Ms Hanafin.
“My department does, therefore, support the use of ABA and training is provided for teachers in its use… However, my department does not accept — based on research, advice and best practice — ABA should be the only intervention used.”
