The centres will be based in primary schools in Armagh, Coalisland,Newry and Banbridge.
According to Angela Smith, education minister: "The centres will providetailored provision and facilitate future inclusion within mainstreameducation."
The National Autism Society Northern Ireland welcomed the development'saying the centres were desperately needed. Development officer ReginaCox said: "The announcement is very welcome as there is currently ashortage of autism-specific services in Northern Ireland. Hopefully,they will become models of good practice, which can be replicatedthroughout the region."
Specialist units attached to mainstream schools are increasinglybecoming part of the recognised range of autism educational provisionacross the UK. Northern Ireland will now have a total of 12 specialunits for children with autistic spectrum disorders.
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