Children with autism struggling to find secondary school places

THERE is “an avalanche” of children on the autism spectrum who are struggling to find secondary school places, according to a local parent.

The issue of a lack of ASD units and classrooms in secondary schools in Tallaght was raised in the Dáil by local People Before Profit/Solidarity TD Paul Murphy last week.

Deputy Murphy told the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, that there is only one secondary school in Tallaght with an autism class, and he highlighted the disparity between the prevalence of ASD units and classes at primary level compared to second level.

Killinarden woman Lynn Byrne’s son Glenn is on the autism spectrum, and has seen the issues other parents have faced.

While Ms Byrne said she was fortunate that her son was able to receive his education at primary and secondary level at Abacas Special School in Kilnamanagh, she has advocated for many parents over the years who have struggled to find places for their children at second level.

“I welcome all the primary schools having new ASD units and special classes,” Ms Byrne told The Echo, “but this doesn’t filter into post-primary.

“There are 157 primary schools in Dublin with ASD units, and only 47 at second level.

“It’s very worrying, because what’s happening is you have an avalanche of children who are graduating from primary school, but they have nowhere to go.”

Lynn with son Glenn

The problem with securing second-level places for students on the autism spectrum is not a new issue for parents.

Back in June 2017, Ms Byrne advocated for Tallaght resident Karen Kavanagh and her then 12-year-old son, Jack Cullen-Kavanagh, who has autism, as a secondary school place for Jack couldn’t be found.

He had attended Drimnagh Castle for primary school and had planned to continue his education at second level in Drimnagh Castle but he was told the school could not cater for his needs, and his mother was unable to find a place for him in a school that would’ve been suitable for him.

After a legal appeal, Jack was facilitated in the school, but Ms Byrne said she’s frustrated that almost five years later, many parents are still facing the same obstacles.

Ms Byrne, who also set up the Sensory Fun with Friends group that holds events for children with disabilities and their families, added: “We have parents who are coming to us, and they’re on their knees asking for help.

“We have parents who’ve reported themselves to Túsla, saying their child isn’t going to school because they have no school to put their child into.

“There aren’t enough units or special classes at second level to accommodate all of the children in Tallaght who need them.

“All of these children are falling through the cracks and being left behind.

“They’re very vulnerable, and their fundamental right to an education is being taken away from them.

“It’s shocking that, in this day and age, a parent can’t secure a school place for their child because of their disability.”

‘Massive concern’ 

Educators are also aware of the struggle that parents are facing, as Katherine McKenna, who runs the Rays of Sunshine pre-school in Firhouse which caters for children with autism, explained.

“When the children get to second level, there’s nothing,” she said.

“For all of our parents, finding a second-level place is a massive concern.

“The children get so far through pre-school and primary school with that additional support, and then by second level it’s all undone.

“It keeps parents awake at night, wondering what will happen when their child gets to second level.”

Speaking to The Echo, Paul Murphy TD said space “needs to be found” to accommodate children with ASD at second level.

Deputy Murphy added that there should be a regulation requiring all secondary schools to have ASD classes or units, not just newly built ones like Kingswood Community College, which houses the only second-level ASD classroom in Tallaght.

When Deputy Murphy raised the issue in the Dáil last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was “crazy” that there was only one secondary school in Tallaght with an ASD class.

The Taoiseach added that he envisioned Education and Training Boards playing “a greater role” in the provision of special education at second level, and noted that “every secondary school should have to play its part”.

The Department of Education was contacted for comment, but a response wasn’t received at the time of going to print.