Education and Health committees meet in Armagh, focusing on autism and SEN provision. Visits included the Middletown Centre for Autism.
They visited the Middletown Centre for Autism. This center is excellent and serves all of Ireland. Staff gave a presentation explaining their work. After that, they went to Middletown Parish Church Hall. They got briefings on autism and special needs then. Mental health also became a focus.
Nick Mathison is in the Assembly and chairs the Education Committee. He thanked the Autism Centre for their welcome. It’s vital to engage with communities to help with SEN and autism issues.
Mathison said education and health need better teamwork. He noted big challenges still exist. Learning good practices and insights was invaluable.
Philip McGuigan leads the Health Committee. He said visiting Armagh mattered and he wanted to see the Autism Centre’s services. Staff provide excellent support, he mentioned.
McGuigan stressed continued collaboration between the Health Committee and Education. They hope to improve things for youth with autism and families will benefit too, he suggested.