In November, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published policy advice on special classes and schools. The advice came after a consultation process where the NCSE engaged with professionals and families about the provision of special education for pupils with additional needs (including those on the autism spectrum). Several changes to current policy were …
On Thursday morning, Senator Máire Devine submitted a Commencement Matter to Seanad Éireann on the lack of provision of school places for autistic children. She also cited our Invisible Children report on School Absences and Withdrawals in Ireland’s Autism Community, launched this week. The Minister answering was Catherine Byrne TD, Minister of State at the Department of …
On Tuesday afternoon, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin submitted a Commencement Matter to Seanad Éireann on the provision of school places this September in the cases of four autistic children in his constituency, asking the Minister for Education to intervene. He also raised the matter of home tuition as a fall-back for not finding a school …
April is World Autism Month! That means many people will be talking about autism in the media, in government, and in your community. Some people might use the colour blue at autism-related events, like “Light It Up Blue” or blue ribbons. Some people might use symbols of puzzle pieces (from a jigsaw) in posts about …
In December of last year, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teacher’s Union of Ireland (TUI) advised their members against drafting and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) – and any similar initiatives – rejecting “the imposition of a special education needs model which takes no account of the time, workload and practical implications …
Leigh E. O’Brien’s young nephew Liam lives with autism. Earlier this year, she composed this poem, celebrating her nephew and his individual identity. In doing so, Leigh not only highlights the challenges Liam faces on a day-to-day basis, she also visualises the unique lens through which Liam sees and experiences the world around him. To …
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