I think this is a hugely positive announcement for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. From my own experience of working as a special educational needs teacher for 13 years, I believe that children on the autistic spectrum are better placed in the mainstream school environment.
Children with autism suffer from impairments in social interaction and in patterns of communication. This can affect how the children interact and how they understand the world around them. I believe these new special classes, within local mainstream schools, will help children on the autistic spectrum to mix with their peers in class and possibly outside school. I think this can ultimately help them towards a more independent future.
Special schools around the country provide fantastic support to children with a wide variety of educational needs. Often, however, they are outside the young person’s community, making it even more difficult to mix socially with other local children. Today’s announcement will mean 38 schools, including four in Dublin, will be able to give children with ASD the option to attend a class, tailored to their needs, in a mainstream school closer to home.
There are already a number of mainstream schools providing special classes for children with autism. These schools have developed good practices of integration and I believe these additional classes in 38 schools will build upon this work.
For more information please send me an email to john.lyons@oir.ie or give me a call on 01 618 3280.
