Education

Parents now "less tolerant of disabled children in same class" (Independent, 20/1/2012)

MORE than one in five people say they would object if a pupil with an intellectual disability or autism was in the same class as their child.

The disturbing statistic marks a growing level of intolerance of these children in the education system.

Just one in 12 said they would object when a similar study was carried out in 2006.

The findings of the survey of attitudes to people with a disability, released yesterday, also reveal almost one in four would not want a pupil with a mental health problem -- like psychiatric illnesses -- in the same class as their child, up from 21pc in 2006.

Just 48pc believe that children with sensory impairments such as deafness should attend the same schools as people with disabilities, down from 58pc in 2006.

The Shine Centre will hold the Autism Jigsaw Event in Cork on the 18th & 19th of October. 

The Abbey Community College in Boyle is being approved to deliver classes in Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
 
It's one of 39 schools nationwide to get the go ahead for the programme, which starts this September.
 
Roscommon based Senator John Kelly who’s welcoming the announcement, says it's important that these classes, which facilitate the education of children with severe autism, are part of the mainstream system, thereby aiding their integration into the wider school community.
 
It is expected that these classes will assist six children with ASD, which will be delivered by a dedicated teacher and two special needs assistants.

Local TD Frank Feighan is also welcoming the announcement.

Source: shannonside.ie, 1st Sept, 2011

Specialised facilities for children with autism have been announced for four Galway schools this term.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Units aim to integrate children with severe autism into the wider school community.

These facilities will be provided in Merlin Woods National School in Doughiska, Gort Community School, Archbishop McHale College in Tuam and Gairmscoil Mhuire in Athenry.

The 6 pupil classes are delivered by a dedicated teacher with the support of two special needs assistants.

Source: Galway News, 1st Sept 2011

Nicola Duffy is completing a Masters in Letterkenny Institute of Technology and have been funded by the Minister for Children and the National Children’s Strategy to conduct academic research in the area of autism and education. Nicola is currently looking for parents/guardians to partake in this research.

First 100 Days Kit (by Autism Speaks) is "A tool kit to assist families in getting the critical information they need in the first 100 days after an autism diagnosis."  Highly recommended if  your child is has developmental delays and/or suspected/diagnosed Autism Spectrm Disorder.  (The booklet is at the bottom of this article)

What topics does the booklet cover? 

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities which operates on a reduced points basis.

DARE has been established by a number of higher education institutions as clear evidence shows that disability can have a negative impact on educational attainment at school and progression to higher education.

Flyer is attached
DARE Presentation (Jan 2010) is attached

Story: Western People Newspaper, April 2nd 2008

Hope of progress on autism school in Kiltimagh

EFFORTS to open a special school in Mayo for children with autism could make significant progress next month. Mayo Autism Action has renovated a building which it rents from the IRD in Kiltimagh. Everything has been ready since January and the group is now hoping that an American expert in autism eduction might take up management of the new school in May.