Hanafin criticised for not seeking autism advice

EMBATTLED Education Minister Mary Hanafin was last night attacked for failing to seek advice from an expert body on the row raging over the needs of autistic pupils.

Ms Hanafin admits she did not consult the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the issue in answer to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael disability spokesperson David Stanton.

Mr Stanton states legislation says the NCSE is there to advise the minister on matters relating to special education.

Ms Hanafin has faced criticism for not providing more funding for Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) education for pupils with autism.

“Ms Hanafin is now refusing to seek advice from a body that is set up to do so,” said Mr Stanton.

“I would now ask if the minister has even requested the NCSE to conduct research into the whole area of autism and ABA teaching. Has no further research been conducted since the report of the Task Force on Autism in 2001?

“Parents of children with autism must be provided with choices but Minister Hanafin prefers to bully and not seek advice from professionals. I urge her instead to commit to funding the existing 12 ABA centres, expand the ABA scheme, and make specific education services available to autistic children where it has been recommended by psychologists.” he added.

Ms Hanafin said: “The NCSE has not submitted any advice to me in relation to the provision of ABA.

“However, the Task Force on Autism advised that my department makes available a range of approaches and a range of resources to meet the unique needs of each student with an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in all school settings.”