Education & Employment
Making a decision on the best educational route for your child is a difficult decision for many parents and can be overwhelming at the beginning as you navigate the system.
At the Kildare Autism Network, we support many parents in this process and provide a forum for others to share their experiences, positive and negative.
Pre-School Resources
Home Tuition
Early Intervention Classes
Children with an official diagnosis of Autism and a psychologist’s recommendation can access an Early Intervention Class, which are based in primary schools. These classes have a ratio of six pupils to one teacher and two Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), and a child is entitled to two years. They attend for the same hours as infants in Primary Schools.
Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)
Children are now able to access support in the ECCE education programme, regardless of whether there is an official diagnosis, via the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). This scheme has introduced new measures to improve inclusion in pre-schools, this is achieved by enhanced training of staff and a dedicated trained staff member overseeing this.
In some circumstances if necessary, the scheme allows the pre-school provider to make adaptations to the physical environment, provide therapies and extra staff to support the child in class.
Private autism-specific preschools, which are usually funded through the Home Tuition Grant. Places in these preschools will only be funded for those children who cannot access a suitable place in an Early Intervention Class.
Primary School and Secondary School
Mainstream Class with Additional Support
Some children with Autism can manage in a mainstream class without support, but some may need additional support. This may be just within the classroom, provided by the teacher. This is known as Classroom Support. This sometimes involves putting in strategies that benefit the whole class or on an individual basis. An individual does not need a diagnosis for additional support.
The next level of support is School Support, this usually involves some hours with a resource teacher in a group of the individual setting. For example, social skills support. School Support Plus is the highest level of support and can involve support from a Special Needs Assistant to manage breaks or any challenging behaviour that arises. There can also be external supports as well, for example with an Occupational Therapist or Psychologist.
A child on School Support Plus is entitled to an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). This plan outlines information gathered over time relative to the student’s abilities, special educational needs and educational performance. The IEP will also be used to set short-term and long-term targets for the child, noting the interventions and supports that will be in place to assist the child in meeting these targets.
Special Class in a Mainstream Setting
Children with an official Autism diagnosis and psychologist recommendation, can access a special class for Autism, based in a mainstream school. These classes have a ratio of six pupils to one teacher and two SNAs. There are many classes throughout Kildare, but places can be scarce, and your child may need to travel a longer distance to access one.
Currently there are a lot more classes in primary schools than secondary schools. You will need to apply directly to the schools, but your local Special Needs Coordinator may be able to help you access a class as well. Some children in an Early Intervention Class will integrate into a mainstream class for part of their day. This depends on each individual child and how they manage in a busier, more challenging environment.
The classes broadly follow the school curriculum, and some children may be able to access a mainstream class more appropriate to their academic ability. There can also be external support as well within the school setting, for example with an Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist.
Special School
For some children with Autism, a special school may sometimes be the most beneficial setting. In special schools, class sizes are kept small so that staff can attend effectively to their students’ needs. As well as teaching staff, other specialist staff may also be present in a special school (such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, etc.) where appropriate.
The learning and development activities delivered in a special school are directly informed by the needs of the students and may be focused more on life skills than academic attainment depending on the individual.
Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO)
A SENO works for the NCSE (National Council for Special Education) and allocates Special Needs Assistant supports and appropriate school places (including in a special class or special school) for pupils with Special Educational Needs. They are a key point of contact with relation to school and autism class placements and it is important to contact them when sourcing support for your child.
Each SENO is allocated to a fixed number of primary and post-primary schools within a geographical area. They will decide on behalf of the NCSE what supports are best suited to a particular child’s needs and entitlements.
Contact details for the SENO in your area here
Link for special classes by county: here
Higher Education Resources
National Learning Network (NLN) provides training and specialist support to people who, for a variety of reasons, may find it difficult to gain employment. Find out more here: www.nln.ie
DARE The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second-level education. Find out more: http://accesscollege.ie/dare/
AHEAD the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote full access to and participation in further and higher education for students with disabilities and to enhance their employment prospects on graduation.
Find out more: https://www.ahead.ie/index
Employment:
Supported employment promotes supported employment at a national level, to job seekers, employers, disability and other services, policymakers and the general public. Find out more information here: www.iase.ie
Work 4 U is a recruitment and employment service set up to assist people with a disability or mental health difficulties to secure and maintain a job in the open labour market. Find out more information here: www.work4u.ie
INTREO is a new service from the Department of Social Protection and is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. Designed to provide a more streamlined approach, Intreo offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike. Find out more information here: www.welfare.ie
SPECIALISTERNE is a specialist consultancy that recruits and supports talented people with Autism and Aspergers and similar challenges. Find out more information here: https://www.specialisterne.ie/
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