MINISTER FOR Education Mary Hanafin yesterday played down suggestions that there were serious concerns among Fianna Fáil backbenchers regarding the provision of Applied Behavioural Analysis for children with autism.
Ms Hanafin said that she had met about 25 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators last week over the provision of educational services for children with autism but most of the concern focused on the provision of special therapies.
"It [ the provision of ABA] was hardly an issue as part of the meeting. About 25 or 26 people came to the meeting and about 13 or 14 spoke and only about three or four of those addressed the issue of ABA," said Ms Hanafin.
Ms Hanafin said that focus for most of those who spoke at the meeting was the provision of specialised services such as speech therapies and the need to expand the service into second level and beyond.
"Those who did speak on ABA just wanted reassurance really that ABA was used and was incorporated into the education of children with autism and I was able to give them that assurance," said Ms Hanafin.
Ms Hanafin said that the Department of Education was working "very well" with Irish Autism Action and other providers to ensure that children with autism get "all the ranges of approaches available, including ABA".
Ms Hanafin said that within the department there was a behaviour support team led by a woman with a doctorate in ABA. "We are very conscious of the good work that ABA can do as one of the methods that should be used for children with autism," she said.
Ms Hanafin was speaking in Cork during a visit to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, where she met parents of autistic children who have benefited from a special programme in which dogs are trained to work with children with autism to help them in social situations.
"I am very impressed with the programme and I think it's wonderful that a guide dog can give such assistance to a child with autism and their families. The parents I meet who have a dog have noticed a significant difference not just in the life of the child but the life of the family," said the Minister.