Ministers head for autism conference

Politicians, teachers and health professionals from both sides of the border are to attend a special all-Ireland conference on autism today.

The one-day event at Dublin's Croke Park will be addressed by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin and her Northern counterpart Catriona Ruane.

It will focus on ways of educating children with the condition.

Chaired by the president of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Dr Mitchell Fleming, it will be addressed by a number of speakers including representatives from Irish Autism Action who will talk about the role of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

Officials from the Departments of Education on both sides of the border will be present, as will representatives of school management bodies, politicians serving on education committees and health professionals.

The conference opens with an address by Ms Hanafin.