It is Ábalta’s mission to provide the highest quality of education to its students with autism. This is achieved by only using scientifically proven educational practices. In doing so, Ábalta is able to provide each child with an education that is tailored to his or her individual needs. It is Ábalta’s mission to provide ongoing training and support to the families of our students.

Ábalta Special School is guided by the following tenets:

Every child with autism has a right to an education.

Every child with autism has the right to an education that is grounded in scientific evidence of efficacy.

We are committed to ensuring the safety and well being of our students at all times.

We are committed to recognising each child as an individual and appreciating their unique personalities

We believe each parent should take an active role in their child’s educational future; thus, they are invited to participate in the planning of their child’s educational program.

We strive to create a positive educational environment for our students

We respect the right to privacy for all children and families at Ábalta.

The goal of the Ábalta programme is the building of skills for success at home, school and in the community. The school believes that each child, with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum is unique and therefore should have access to a range of evidence based interventions that met their individual needs.

Ábalta follows this principle with a multi-disciplinary approach to service delivery and a strong focus on evidence-based instructional practices and methodologies such as Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Lámh (manual signing system) discrete trial, verbal behaviour, direct instruction, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) etc. in line with DES policy for special education for children on the autism spectrum.