The Home Tuition Scheme provides a compensatory educational service for pre-school autistic students who need early educational intervention. The scheme also provides for autistic students that are seeking suitable educational placement, as well as students with significant medical or mental health needs that may cause challenges for them in school. The funding provides 10 hours home tuition weekly for autistic students aged between 2 and 3 years, and 20 hours a week for students aged 3. The scheme is not eligible if there is a place available to the student in a preschool or other early education setting. Application forms for the scheme are on the website of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) www.education.ie/en/parents/services/home-tuition
Given the diverse support needs of the autistic community, autistic children may attend special schools or autism classes within mainstream schools. For your child to access an autism class a formal diagnosis of autism is required. The number of children in an autism class is usually quite small (no more than 6), so that the teaching and support staff can attend effectively to their students’ needs. Autism classes can be set up in both primary and secondary schools, where the need is apparent. The needs of the children attending an autism class will vary greatly from one child to the next. One child may need to spend most of their day in the autism class, learning from a curriculum that has been specially tailored to meet their needs. Another child, on the other hand, may need to be in the autism class for a short period during each day, and can participate in the mainstream curriculum once they have access to this support. It is important to note that all children availing a school place in an autism class are entitled to integrate with their peers in mainstream, regardless of their needs. This means they will have access to a seat in the autism class and a seat in the mainstream class every day. It is important to talk to your child’s Special Education Needs Officer (SENO) when looking for an appropriate school place for your child.
Some parents / guardians, whose children have more complex needs, may want to consider whether their child would be better supported by attending a special school. Some special schools cater specifically for autistic students while others cater for general intellectual disability and may also have Autism specific classes. Each special school will have a specific student teacher ratio. Special schools cater for students from both primary and post-primary and will have certain enrolment criteria. Special schools provide a range of services such as speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, school nurses, specialist swimming teachers, and staff who have been trained to use evidence- based supports specific to student needs. Many schools also have specialist resources and equipment such as therapy pools, sensory rooms, and adapted outdoor play equipment. Students in special schools follow curricula and teaching appropriate to their needs, with progress and attainment closely monitored, in smaller classes. To search for a list of special schools, please see the Department of Education’s ‘find a school’ section on their website
A student with additional needs may need the support of a special needs assistant (SNA), sometimes referred to as Inclusion Support Assistant (ISA). SNA/ISA’s are not assigned to any particular student, and are deployed within the school to those students needing support to meet primary care e.g. safety, toileting, supervision. Schools apply to the NCSE for SNA allocation hours based on the care needs of their student population. In December 2019, the Irish Government approved the national roll out of a new frontloading model for the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNAs) support to mainstream primary and post-primary schools, which will be based on school profile. This has been temporarily deferred. SNA duties are assigned at the discretion of the Principal / Board of Management and are monitored on an ongoing basis, focusing on particular care needs of students in the school. A diagnosis of disability and/or professional report will not be required for a student to access SNA support. However, if professional reports are available regarding a student’s needs, they should be used to guide schools in planning supports. Parents/guardians should bring any reports to the attention of the school to facilitate and inform appropriate interventions.
A child with additional educational needs is eligible for the School Transport Scheme which is funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DES). They may avail of this scheme once they are attending their nearest recognised special school or autism class in a mainstream school. Applications for school transport can be made to the school principal, who will contact the local SENO on your behalf. Once the SENO has reviewed the application, they will forward the application to the School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Skills.
The Summer Programme 2023 (previously known as July Provision) is run by the Department of Education for primary and post-primary students with complex additional educational needs and those at the greatest risk of educational disadvantage.
The programme’s aims are to support pupils to re-engage with their education over the summer months. The purpose of which is to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.
This is a voluntary programme and not all schools avail of the opportunity to engage with this programme. There are two programmes available for eligible students In-School Summer Programme and Home-Based Summer Programme.
The Irish Language is a core subject in Ireland’s school curriculum and most students are therefore expected to study the subject. However, the Department of Education allows students to apply for an exemption from studying Irish in primary and secondary schools. If a student is exempt, it means they do not have to study Irish. This includes state examinations such as the Leaving Certificate.
Is my child eligible for an Irish language exemption?
Although a diagnosis/psychological assessment is no longer necessary to apply for an exemption, an autism diagnosis alone is not sufficient either. The child must instead meet the following criteria:
- Significant literacy difficulty even after supports are provided (this should be recorded in their SSP)
- Have a standardized score at or below the 10th percentile in reading or spelling
Or
- ‘Multiple and persistent needs which affect their learning and participation’
- Written evidence that these needs persist even after supports are provided (this should be recorded in their SSP)
You can find the full criteria for primary schools here and for secondary schools here. The child should have been given every opportunity to study Irish and exemptions are not usually considered until the child has reached second class.
There are exceptions to this, however. Children who are enrolled in a special school or a special class on a full-time basis will not need to apply for an Irish exemption as they will already qualify. Likewise, children who were previously enrolled in a special school or class are exempt.
How do I apply for an Irish language exemption?
Applications for Irish exemptions are now made to the school principal, who will base their decision on whether learning Irish is causing the child undue difficulties with his/her language development. The principal will need evidence of this from the child’s parent/guardians and all staff involved in the child’s education.
For more information, watch our video on the subject below:
