Last Updated: Monday, 25 February 2008 00:00

Principal correct in not accepting half measures for children with Autism

The Minister for Education and Science is applying unfair pressure on the Principal and Board of Management of Castleknock Educate Together Primary School to open its special unit for children with Autism when essential services are not in place.

Autism is a complex and challenging condition which, in addition to teaching, requires a range of essential therapies, resources and supports (see below). The Principal and Board of Castleknock Educate Together have acted responsibly by insisting that the special unit for Autism in their school be professionally resourced prior to the enrolment of children. Pressurising schools to open Autism units prematurely is sending out a message that children with Autism can make do with less than a full service. The Principal of Castleknock Educate Together is doing these children a great service by insisting that they get all the supports they need to maximise their educational potential.

According to IPPN's 2006 survey of Principals in schools with similar Autism units, those units that opened without the full complement of resources and professional services have struggled to acquire these services retrospectively, and in many cases, continue to operate without them. IPPN commends the Principal and Deputy Principal for their principled stance in relation to this issue.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has a key role to play in providing professional therapeutic services to children with Autism. It is not acceptable that Principals of primary schools take the blame for the failure of the HSE and the Department of Education & Science (DES) to coordinate service provision.

A hospital manager would not allow an operating theatre to be opened without all essential staff and equipment in place as to do so would be professionally irresponsible. The same principle applies to the opening of Autism units.

As a matter of urgency, IPPN requests that the HSE and the DES remove all red tape to ensure that all schools with Autism units have unfettered access to essential services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy, music and play therapies and sensory therapy. Children with Autism should not have to wait for inter-departmental bureaucracy. IPPN believes that instead of criticising the school leaders, the Minister should focus her energies on funding these units adequately.