04/02/2020
Calls For Autism Training For NI Teachers
Education Minister Peter Weir is under pressure to introduce mandatory autism training for teachers and classroom assistants across Northern Ireland.
Autism diagnosis has doubled in the past six years, with one in 30 children now confirmed as having the disorder.
A motion by DUP MLA Pam Cameron urging Mr Weir to explore mandatory training was recently amended by Green Party MLA Rachel Woods to demand decisive action on the matter.
The majority of young people with autism are educated in mainstream schools.
A petition signed by over ten thousand people in support of the training was submitted to the Department of Education last September.
Sinn Fein MLA Karen Mullan was among the other members of the Assembly to pledge her support for the motion on Monday 03 February.
The party's Education Spokesperson said: "Our teaching staff want to be supported to provide the best education and care to our young people. They need to be equipped with the skills to do so.
"The role of the teacher is evolving; they are increasingly working with children with complex needs so the introduction of training will be beneficial to their work and the needs of the child.
"Today's motion is only the start; parents and young people need action and our teaching staff need action."
(JG/CM)
Autism diagnosis has doubled in the past six years, with one in 30 children now confirmed as having the disorder.
A motion by DUP MLA Pam Cameron urging Mr Weir to explore mandatory training was recently amended by Green Party MLA Rachel Woods to demand decisive action on the matter.
The majority of young people with autism are educated in mainstream schools.
A petition signed by over ten thousand people in support of the training was submitted to the Department of Education last September.
Sinn Fein MLA Karen Mullan was among the other members of the Assembly to pledge her support for the motion on Monday 03 February.
The party's Education Spokesperson said: "Our teaching staff want to be supported to provide the best education and care to our young people. They need to be equipped with the skills to do so.
"The role of the teacher is evolving; they are increasingly working with children with complex needs so the introduction of training will be beneficial to their work and the needs of the child.
"Today's motion is only the start; parents and young people need action and our teaching staff need action."
(JG/CM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.