Nine out of 10 autistic children without access to proper services

NINE out of 10 children with autism are not getting the specialist services they need to develop, according to a survey of primary school principals in schools catering for children with the condition.

A mere fifth of the 280 principals surveyed said they would favour the ABA approach of education, which most parents of children with autism believe is best for their child, but 65% of principals said this method is best for children under four years of age.

School principals said the majority of children with autism enrolled in special schools or special classes do not have access to a variety of professional interventions needed including speech and language therapists, psychologists and occupational therapists.