Many children seem to be on a short school day for one reason or other. There is currently no data on this. Please ask your members to fill out this very short survey, it takes less than 2 minutes. The survey is at this link
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P2JHWB8

We hope to lobby on this issue in 2016.

RTE are currently researching a documentary which concerns young people
with Asperger's who are preparing to do their Leaving Cert this year.

The idea is to to make a documentary which shines a light on the challenges
faced by young people with AS and their families, which this experience
brings. If there are any families who are in this situation and who
would be interested in talking to the production team, please contact
David O'Sullivan on 01 208 2723 or by email at david.osullivan <AT> rte <DOT> ie

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.

Hi! I'm a final year student doing a research project on the effects of the governmental cutbacks on Special Needs Children and SNAs in Irish primary schools.

Could anybody give me any tips/pointers/personal accounts or opinions? Anything would be very much appreciated!

Thank you

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Carol Chamberlain. I'm a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts (BA) student in Childcare Management  in Athlone Institute of Technology, Westmeath.

I'm currently conducting a research study for my presentation on children with disabilities (3 years) and social inclusion in a Childcare setting paying particular attention to  how the facility has been modified to cater for their needs . I was wondering if you would be willing to help me by filling out a questionnaire?

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

No Government funding for Kiltimagh facility

By Geraldine Carr

The privately funded Áthas School located in Kiltimagh, which is the only specialised school in Mayo which caters for children diagnosed with an autism disorder, through using applied behaviour analytic services, has implemented cuts across all its staffing hours.

IN YET another blow to parents of special needs children, The Mayo News has learned that St Brid’s Special School in Castlebar may lose three of its 13 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in June next.  St Brid’s caters for almost 25 children with severe, profound and moderate learning difficulties, as well as children with autism, all of whom require care on an almost continual basis.

Niall Murray, Irish Examiner. Saturday, January 30, 2010

GOVERNMENT policy of integrating children with special needs into mainstream schools will be pointless if there are more cuts to staff helping them in class, a principals’ leader warned yesterday.

Hundreds of special needs assistants (SNAs) who help with physical and behavioural difficulties of thousands of pupils have been made redundant this weekend, in a move described yesterday by Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) director Sean Cottrell as a ruthless culling.

Almost 1,200 of the 10,500 SNA positions could be axed as a result of a review at 4,000 schools, according to preliminary figures from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) last summer.

Copyright: Fermanagh Herald, 15th September 2009

A new autism unit at Holy Trinity Primary School in Enniskillen is now up and running and catering for seven children.

The Principal, Fintan Murphy explained that the school's Autistic Spectrum Disorder Centre, in conjunction with the Western Board's Special Education Service, opened in temporary accommodation in September last year with children attending.

Marina Olympidis, Class Teacher,
Scoil Aonghusa Special School, Cahir Road, Cashel, Co Tipperary.

A personal journey with a young boy with autism and accompanying learning difficulties.
My first term’s work. Please read attached story ...

Northern Sound, Aug 28 2009

The Principal and Board of Management at St Oliver Plunkett National School in Loughmourne near Castleblayney are being praised for their efforts in establishing an autism unit at the school. The Department of Education and Science has agreed to allocate €450,000 euro to establish a permanent building for the unit.

It's understood increased demand for places at the school's autism section has meant a new building is required. Up to now the facility has been housed at temporary accommodation.

ASD unit confirmed for Swinford school
Mayo Advertiser, August 21, 2009.

Scoil Mhuire agus Padraig, Swinford, has been given approval by the Department of Education to lease property from the Sisters of Mercy to develop an autism spectrum disorder unit from September. The news was welcomed by Minister of State Dara Calleary TD. The management of Scoil Mhuire agus Padraig received written confirmation from the Department of Education and Science of permission to lease the property at a cost of €15,000 a year grant aided by 100 per cent.

Notification of Transitional Arrangements being put in place in relation to the outcome of the review of all Special Needs Assistant posts in primary, special and post-primary schools by the National Council for Special Education

1. Introduction

The refusal of a special class for children with Autism at Carrigallen National School in Leitrim is a huge blow.

Thats according to the Home School Community Liason officer Barbara Jones who says yesterdays annuncement is very disappointing for the teachers, children and parents involved.

The school has been refused a special class for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder despite the fact that no such class exists in any school in county Leitrim.

Venue: Park Plaza Tyrrelstown, Dublin.

PECS Basic Training Course, Dublin

This workshop is the basic accredited training in PECS and recommended for parents as well as professionals. Please see attached Flyer for Autumn 2009 PECS courses on island of Ireland.

PECS Basic Training Course

Venue: City Hotel Derry.

This workshop is the basic accredited training in PECS and recommended for parents as well as professionals. Please see attached Flyer for Autumn 2009 PECS courses on Island of Ireland.