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A School of Education autism expert is calling for more public spending on treatment for the 1 in 50 children in Northern Ireland who live with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Professor Karola Dillenburger from the Centre for Behavioural Analysis in Queen’s School of Education made the call as 200 experts from around the world arrive at the University to discuss the latest international developments in evidence based treatments for children with autism.

The third annual QUART conference (Queen’s University Autism Research and Treatment Forum) takes place at Queen’s today (Friday 20 September) and brings together researchers and practitioners, along with parents, carers and individuals with autism, to explore how behaviour analytic interventions can improve the everyday lives of children with autism. The event is open to the public.

Key speakers include Dr Lorri Unumb from US-based Autism Speaks – the world’s leading autism advocacy organisation. A lawyer and mother of three children, Dr Unumb was the chief architect of Ryan’s Law – named in honour of her autistic son - which reformed autism insurance law in South Carolina and served as a catalyst for similar reforms in over thirty other states. 34 US states now mandate by law that autism treatments must be covered by health insurance.

Professor Dillenburger feels Northern Ireland can learn from this approach, which has benefitted thousands of children across the USA by giving them access to the best possible treatment.

Professor Dillenburger said: “More than 16,000 families in Northern Ireland are directly affected by autism. The provision of evidence-based behaviour analysis-based intervention is vital in enabling these children to live fulfilled lives, and participate in the types of interactions that other families take for granted – such as going to school, forming friendships and playing with other children.

“While research from Queen’s and other leading research centres around the world has proven the benefits of behavioural interventions for these children, these interventions are not routinely and freely available to families in Northern Ireland

“Families living with autism face many challenges, not least of which is financial hardship due to the failure of public funding to provide ABA based interventions for autism. Parents who wish to access these kinds of individually tailored child centred, scientifically evaluated interventions for their children do so privately or through the support of local charities.

“Many countries, not least the USA, have legislated for the provision of scientific-based behaviour analytic treatments. In Northern Ireland, however, this level of support is not available. We have therefore developed the Simple Steps programme – a training resource that empowers parents and educates professionals in meeting the needs of children with autism. In the absence of widespread provision of scientifically validated treatments for our children, this resource will be invaluable in enabling children to overcome the challenges they face on a daily basis.”

The Simple Steps programme has now been adapted for use across Europe by the STAMPPP Project (Science and the Treatment of Autism: Multimedia Package for Parents and Professionals), with partners in Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland, Spain, Germany and Norway.

The QUART Conference will explore the latest research supporting Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as the most effective framework for treatment for autism. Outlining the case for ABA, Professor Dillenburger continued: “ABA is the application of the science of behaviour analysis to socially relevant behaviour. ABA treatments for autism are individually tailored, child-centred, and can produce remarkable results. The key to effective treatment for autism is to diagnose it as early as possible and provide early intensive behavioural intervention based on ABA. For the past four decades, ABA has provided effective treatment across the world. Aimed at enhancing people's lives in ways that they or their carers feel are important, ABA forms the scientific basis for a wide range of techniques to promote a full range of skills among people with autism. It can help break down barriers to learning that otherwise can isolate individuals diagnosed with autism, thus allowing them to reach their full potential and enhancing inclusion.”

The QUART Conference takes place at the Whitla Hall at Queen’s University from 9am-4pm. Admission is £20 for professionals and £10 for all others. For more information visit the Queen’s Centre for Behavioural Analysis website at www.qub.ac.uk/cba

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