Here at Super Calm Sensory Products our aim is to educate parents, carers, teachers and children on neurodiversity and the impact it can have on the person caring for the child with a neurodiverse difference. We aim to increase understanding on what is happening in the body of a neurologically different person resulting in greater empathy in understanding certain behaviours. By developing sensory diets and activities aimed towards their specific sensory needs the child should reach optimum levels of arousal to allow them to be present during school and home life.
Someone who has neurologically diverse differences may react differently to others around sensory stimuli and other environmental factors. The overall goal is to promote understanding and increase empathy resulting in a more harmonious environment for all.
Here at Super Calm we believe in educating the public on rights and entitlements that their child should be availing of. With that in mind we have listed some entitlements and rights which you may, if you have any added information please let us know so we can update our post.
As always please feel free to share this information to anyone who may find it of use.
General entitlements: Every child in Ireland has a constitutional right to a free primary education. Children with special or additional needs are provided a free education until they are 18 years old.
Those with Autism/ ASD fall under the EPSEN act 2004, stating those with additional needs need to be educated in an inclusive environment.
Every child is entitled to a Service Statement wherein they can see what recommended supports will be put in place. Service Statements can be amended or changed by contacting you GP, social workers or Liaison Officer at your local health office.
Autistic children may begin school earlier than their neurotypical peers through the ECCE scheme (see financial support), however they must start school by age six at the latest.
Transport: The Department of Education and Skills provides school transport services for children with special educational needs. Bus Éireann (the State public transport operator) operates the school transport service on behalf of the Department. The school transport service is not available in all areas. Where the transport cannot be provided, you may be eligible for a Special Transport Grant to help with the cost of making private transport arrangements.
Escort Provision: The Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) can make an application to the Department to employ an escort to accompany a child, if the child’s care and safety needs require that support.
Special Class Arrangements: Transport services for children with special needs are only provided for the period of enrolment in a special class. If the child returns to mainstream classes, special transport arrangements will not be provided. Eligible children who are enrolled in an autism class/unit attached to a mainstream school and who subsequently mainstream in that school will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their primary education in this school. However, a new application must be made if they transfer to a new school.
Education Plans: Under the EPSEN act 2004 every child assessed with a special educational need should have a personal education plan. This service is currently being implemented and further information can be seen on NCSE.ie.
Preschool: To further enhance inclusion and access to education for children with additional needs the AIM model has been introduced, further details can be found at: https://aim.gov.ie/
Primary school:
Special schools; see Department of Education's website to see a list of schools catering for children with Autism/ASD.
Autism unit in a mainstream school; see National Council for Special Educations website.
Mainstream classes; note there has been a change in the Special Education Teaching Allocation for each school, which came into effect at the start of the 2017/2018 school year. The new Special Education Teaching Allocation will provide a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on that school’s educational profile. You can view each school’s allocation (both primary schools and secondary schools) on the National Council for Special Education’s website.