The Barnacoyle Parents Group, of which the O Chuanacháin’s are members, is frustrated by the postponement of the final judgment in this extremely important case. At the previous hearing the O’Cuanachain’s were informed that they had lost the part of the case dealing with future provision. The reasons for this decision were to be given on the 27th April, 2007. We again urge the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin TD, not to use this decision as an opportunity to remove Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) based services from the children who desperately need them.

The O’Cuanachain family had sought an order from the court to force the State to provide Sean with 30 hours ABA tuition per week. However, Mr. Justice Peart has concluded that the programme of education being provided by the State was "appropriate autism-specific educational provision" and on that basis he declined to make orders in favour of the family. We are awaiting the reason for this decision. The Barnacoyle Parents Group and others have provided the Department of Education to provide scientific research to support the effectiveness of ABA in the education of children with autism. We have asked the Department for the research which supports the "eclectic approach". To date the Department have failed to provide any evidence to support there preferred approach.

The Department of Education currently funds twelve schools where ABA is the method of education used to teach hundreds of children throughout the country, including some from the Ministers own constituency. The family have again urged the Minister for Education to afford all children with autism the same opportunities to reach there full potential by extending the funding and recognition of ABA to the thirteen groups seeking resources from the Department of Education.

"Applied Behavioural Analysis is proven the most effective method of improving the lives of children with autism,” stated Trevor Dagg, spokesman for the Barnacoyle Parents Group. “Each child attending Barnacoyle has been recommended an ABA education by independent experts. And yet we have a decision from the High Court that threatens not just the future of Seán O Chuanacháin, but of all the children with special education needs. Sean was five years old when this process began. If the final judgment is received in June he will be seven years old. Another two years of vital education lost."

The Barnacoyle School was established by St. Catherine’s Service in February 2004 in response to a lack of appropriate service for children with autism spectrum disorder in Co. Wicklow. At present, there are 24 children in the preschool classes and 6 in the post primary class. Referrals continue to be received by St. Catherine’s Service.

"Children who were previously non-verbal can now speak. They can, for the first time, communicate with their families. A whole new world has opened up for all our children and we implore the Minister not to jeopardise this progress by further resort to the courts." Trevor Dagg added.

Since Barnacoyle commenced in February 2004, eight children progressed to a level where they moved on to a main stream class with support, one moved on to an outreach class attached to a main stream school.

In order to ensure the continued implementation of the ABA methodology the Barnacoyle Parents Groups and St. Catherine’s Association Ltd. have applied to the Department of Education and Science for full funding for and recognition of an ABA Centre of Education for County Wicklow. This will provide the parents of County Wicklow with the option of an ABA education for their children as is available in twelve Government funded facilities throughout the country. The Department of Education funds an ABA school which serves the children of the Ministers own constituency. The application for recognition was submitted in October 2006 and is currently receiving consideration along with twelve other applications from around the country.

Trevor Dagg also stated that "the uncertainty regarding the future funding of Barnacoyle ABA School is distressing for parents and families of children with special needs who need stability and support. Minister Hanafin must decide to extend ABA education to all the children of Co Wicklow who need it and fund the Barnacoyle School now."

The Barnacoyle Parents Group and Irish Autism Action have lobbied the political parties in Wicklow and nationally on the issue of the education of children with autism. The following political parties have committed to support the ABA schools with appropriate funding and recognition if elected to serve in Government:

Fine Gael
The Green Party
Labour
Sinn Fein