New centres to open for autistic children

Four new Learning Support Centres for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder have been given the go-ahead by NIO Minister Angela Smith.

The Education Minister has also approved a Learning Support Centre for children with moderate learning difficulties.

The new centres will be in four primary schools in the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) area and will complement existing provision in the area. The schools are: Christian Brothers' Primary School, Armagh, (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), Primate Dixon Primary School, Coalisland, (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), St Joseph's Convent Primary School, Newry, (Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Learning Difficulty); and St Mary's Primary School, Banbridge, (Autistic Spectrum Disorder).

Announcing her decision, the Minister said: "I am delighted to approve these proposals which will provide an appropriate learning environment for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and give them the best opportunity for their future development.

"This is a positive development, which demonstrates that the education service is continuing to work to improve provision for our most vulnerable children, supported by the additional £3.5million provided for special education needs as part of the £12.5million package for education which I announced recently."

The Minister said the centres would provide tailored provision for the children and also facilitate their future inclusion within mainstream education in line with the ethos of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

(MB/SP)