IPPN

In recent weeks there has been a lot written and said about meeting the education needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Regrettably most of the debate has focussed on just a single issue - the relative merits of the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and TEACCH methodologies.

To date, parents, politicians, academics and journalists have contributed most to the public discussion on this topic. IPPN has not as yet stated its policy on the issue of Autism provision. Before doing so, our Executive has decided to invite every Principal and Deputy Principal to contribute their views based on their experience of ASD in the context of mainstream classrooms, special units/classes or special schools.

Almost two years ago we conducted a survey on ASD provision which gave us a lot of factual information for the first time. Our new survey is more comprehensive and offers you the opportunity to put forward your views on a range of issues and not just about ABA vs TEACCH.

We appreciate your time in completing this on-line questionnaire and hope that you will do so in the knowledge that IPPN's policy will be guided by the real experiences of real school leaders. There are eleven sections covered in the survey. You do not have to complete all of them, but we encourage you to respond to as many as possible. Data collected will not be used in any way which could identify any individual. However at the end of the survey we invite you to leave your name and contact details if you are interested in being part of a further consultative process.

To access the survey please use the following link www.educationopinion.ie

Míle buíochas as ucht do chabhair leis an taighde tábhachtacht.

Is sinne le meas,

Larry Fleming & Seán Cottrell