The Middletown Centre for Autism, established in 2007 and funded by both the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and the Department of Education in the Republic of Ireland, has become a focal point in the ongoing discussion about educational reform and autism support. Ema Cubitt, appointed as Northern Ireland's first independent autism reviewer in 2024, has raised significant concerns regarding the current state of the education system and its impact on autistic students. During a joint meeting of Stormont's Health and Education committees held on Wednesday, 19 February, at Middletown, County Armagh, Cubitt made poignant remarks about the lack of change in the education system since the industrial revolution and highlighted the challenges faced by autistic youths.
"Autistic people are telling us with their behaviour that school is not an easy or a safe place for them to be and to learn," said Ema Cubitt.
Cubitt emphasized the need for a safer and more supportive learning environment for all children, underscoring that safety is crucial for effective learning. She pointed out that Northern Ireland's education system has remained largely unchanged since the industrial revolution, a sentiment she expressed strongly during her presentation to the committees.
"From the industrial revolution where we're pushing individuals in one end and out the other, it hasn't changed and that's a fact," she stated.
The prevalence of autism in Northern Ireland is rising, yet there remains a significant gap in support for autistic young people, especially once they leave school. This gap was previously highlighted by parents like Alma White, who have voiced concerns over insufficient post-school provisions for those with special educational needs (SEN).
"To have a whole section of our population not have a place in society – which is effectively what this is – is just fundamentally wrong," Cubitt argued.
Cubitt also drew attention to inconsistencies across Stormont departments in considering the needs of autistic individuals. She criticized the delivery plan for SEN reform published by Education Minister Paul Givan as "quite disappointing," noting that while the plan appears promising on the surface, its practical implementation falls short.
"There's a lot of it that sounds really good on the surface but I just don't see how it delivers," she commented.
During the committee hearing, Cubitt expressed her discomfort with punitive measures in schools, suggesting that such approaches are outdated and detrimental to children who already struggle to attend school due to fear of punishment.
"You'll never teach a child who doesn't feel safe or happy," she remarked.
Cubitt called for a comprehensive review of the education system, advocating for reforms that consider the unique needs of autistic students. She urged that any department impacting people's lives must account for autism, highlighting a missed opportunity to overhaul the education system comprehensively.
"We have to change how we deal with our young people in school," she asserted.
