Autism vs First Year of college May 2019: I have just finished my summer exams. I had dropped out of college twice before and this was third time lucky. I had finally completed the first year of a degree in Digital Marketing, Communication and Public Relations in Dundalk IT, a course with a mixture of academic, creative and technology skills …
Community Voices: Ella Durrigan on Starting College Read More »
AsIAm, Ireland’s national autism charity, has condemned the Health Service Executive’s decision to cut the Rehabilitative Training (RT) allowance. The allowance, currently paid out at €31.80 per week, is available to school-leavers with a disability who take part in training programmes. These aim to support students’ progression to further education and employment. The €31.80 is …
AsIAm Condemns Cut to Rehabilitative Training Allowance Read More »
The Minister for Education and Skills announced a rehaul of the criteria for granting exemptions from studying Irish earlier this week. The new rules for the exemptions will be in place for the new school year in September of this year. A public consultation was organised by the Department on the issue. Individuals from across …
Explainer: New Rules for Irish Language Exemptions Read More »
Mark O’Keefe, celebrity hairdresser and owner of the Sugar Club, made headlines last week in his heartfelt letter to his five-year old son Riley. Riley received an autism diagnosis two and a half years ago, and has so far been unsuccessful in gaining a school place. Last Friday I sat down with Riley’s parents, Mark …
Last Wednesday 19th June AsIAm Founder and CEO Adam Harris addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Public Petitions in a discussion on Mandatory Teacher Training on Spectrum Disorders, sharing insight on experiences of autistic students and parents in the education system, the need for universal design in teacher training and in schools, and recommendations for meaningful …
Welcome to Our Week Online, and what a wet week it’s been. Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride has announced a number of new accessibility initiatives to make the Pride parade on June 29th more inclusive. They include a quiet area in Merrion Square’s Pride Village, a second assembly point for people who would like to participate in …
Today AsIAm’s Founder and CEO Adam Harris addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills Consultation on Reduced Timetables on our work on this issue, relevant findings from our Invisible Children report on school absence in the autism community, and AsIAm’s recommendations for helping autistic students and their families affected by reduced timetables. You …
AsIAm CEO Addresses Oireachtas Joint Committee Consultation on Reduced Timetables Read More »
Here at AsIAm we’ve been inspired this week by William Florish, who just graduated from Transition Year and made an amazing valedictory speech to his classmates and the school community. William is autistic, and had words of encouragement and thanks to his special needs assistant Orla and for his fellow “invisible kid” classmates. Members of …
Hello, and welcome to Our Week Online. This week Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. It’s safe to say that the deputies involved would not have been so moved without the tireless advocacy and activism of a young autistic woman, and her millions of followers around …
Yesterday Minister for Education Joe McHugh TD published a statement reminding schools and patrons nationwide of their responsibilities under admissions laws to provide specialist school places for children and young people with special needs. This statement came just a few hours after the morning’s protest by nationwide campaign group Enough Is Enough – Every Voice …
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