Transition Year can be an interesting time for people on the autism spectrum. The free curriculum can offer opportunities for growth and self-discovery, whilst the lack of structure can prove difficult for many. Charlie Silke is a Transition Year student on the spectrum, and he’s written about his experiences in Transition Year so far. In …
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 …
In December 2018, it was brought to AsIAm’s attention that the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has issued advice to its members encouraging them to disengage with Individual Education Plans (IEPs)/Student Support Files (SSFs)/individualised planning within their schools. We learnt that this followed similar advice issued by the Teacher’s Union of Ireland (TUI) over …
As the national autistic advocacy organisation, AsIAm receives a huge volume of messages from families with a child on the autism spectrum who can’t access a school place, or whose child can no longer attend school. We know the situation has escalated over the past number of years, affecting many families across the country. As …
Call Out: Complete Our Surveys on School Places and Exclusion/WithdrawalRead More »
Representatives from both AsIAm and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) met last week to discuss the recent ASTI advice to their membership on the non-implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) / Student Support Files (SSFs) and other forms of individualised support. We felt it was a constructive dialogue for both parties involved as …
Constructive Meeting between AsIAm & ASTI RepresentativesRead More »
Welcome to the last Our Week Online of 2018. This will be our last round up of the year because we’ve reached that time when we look back on the year that was, look forward in hope for the future, and panic over gift shopping, enormous dinners, and seasonal sensory overload. Break open an early …
Welcome to Our Week Online, probably the only news roundup this week that doesn’t include Brexit. Enjoy! Following a campaign and petition in the community, St Peter’s College in Dunboyne, Co. Meath will build and open a new autism unit next September. Orla Gormally, whose Facebook post about trying to find a secondary school place …
Our survey on special schools and classes is now live and open to the public! If you’re a school pupil who’s autistic, family member of a child on the autistic spectrum or an educational professional with experience of special schools or classes, please fill out our survey. What’s it for? The National Council for Special …
Call Out: NCSE Consultations on Special Schools and ClassesRead More »
An Individual Education Plan, often referred to as an ‘IEP’, is a plan to support your child’s learning and development. The IEP is led by the child’s strengths and learning needs and is developed in collaboration with them, their parents, teachers, special needs assistant (if there is SNA support allocated to the child) and any …
What’s an Individual Education Plan (IEP) & how can I Set One Up for My Child?Read More »
Parents and families are preparing their children for school from the day they are born and not just before the September when they start school! From the moment children are born, and even before that, children are communicating with, and absorbing information from the environment around them. Your child has benefited from being in a …
Are there Things I can do at Home to Prepare my Child for Starting School?Read More »
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