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Midlands Mother Pleading With Department Of Education To Open More Autism Units

Wednesday, 22 June 2022 13:50

Her son has nowhere to go this September.

The mother of a child with special educational needs is pleading with the Department of Education to open more autism units in Athlone, as her son has nowhere to go.

Michelle Dowling's 12 year old son Gareth, who has autism and type 1 diabetes, currently has no school place in his native Athlone, as the only school with an autism unit is full.

She says he's started to refuse to go to school now, as he asks "what's the point?".

Michelle says he badly needs it.

The next best option is in a school 50km away in Galway but Michelle says, because of his diabetes, she wouldn't be able to get to him in case there is an emergency.

The story of Michelle and Gareth follows remarks by the Children's Ombudsman, who says a shortage of school places is failing children like Gareth.

Dr Niall Muldoon says there is a significant gap between places in primary and post-primary schools:

With around a quarter of students with special educational needs, Dr Muldoon predicts the situation is only going to get worse.

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