FF manifesto a big disappointment for children with autism – Enright

“It is disappointing – in the extreme – that once again Fianna Fáil has failed to recognise the severe pressure on the parents of children with autism in their General Election manifesto. There is no mention of autism in this document, which runs to close to 150 pages, and Fianna Fáil clearly has no proposals in this area.

“Fianna Fáil believes that, in education, ‘one size fits all’. They have consistently refused to sanction the assistance that some children with autism need, such as Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) teaching, insisting instead on a mainstreaming approach.

“In contrast, the Fine Gael election manifesto will include proposals in this area. We believe that both mainstreaming, and a more intensive approach to education for children with autism, can work for individual children.

“Fine Gael will support diversity in the education of children with autism. Where a period of intensive education like ABA is professionally recommended for children with autism we will support this education.”

ENDS