No school place for local boy

A NORTHSIDE mother is pleading with the Department of Education and Skills to find a school place for her son who has autism. 

Kyle Hansard (9), from Harmonstown, has not been in school since the beginning of the new term in September because there isn't enough units or special schools for children with autism. 

For the last five years, Kyle had been a pupil at Scoil Bhride in Donaghmede where he was facilitated in one of two Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Units. However, he had to change school because he was due to go into third class.

Kyle’s mother, Linda, told Northside People: “I’ve been told he is entitled to 20 hours’ home tuition but because I work full-time this wouldn't suit. 

“Also, Kyle is non-verbal and has short concentration so it wouldn't be an option.”

Ms Hansard said life has been very difficult for her family since the start of the new school year. 

“Since September Kyle is out of his routine. He is proving very difficult and is destroying the place. 

He is up late at night and is acting up.

“Routine is vital for someone who has autism. Kyle needs to be in a school. When a bus goes by, he looks out at it and wonders why he can’t go to school like other children. 

“I was hoping that he would be able to get into a special school by September. He was on the waiting list for a few but it never happened for him. I haven’t got the home tuition yet but have applied for it, though.”

Ms Hansard, who called on the Department of Education and Skills to provide a school place for Kyle, has also sought help from local TDs.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” she said. “By law, every child is entitled to an education, including children with autism. I feel there is a great injustice here. It’s like my child is being excluded because of his autism.”

Ms Hansard said that when she is in work, she receives support with looking after Kyle from her two older sons (age 20 and 23), and also from her sister. 

“I’m not getting anywhere and it’s a great stress on the whole family,” she added.

A spokesperson from the Department of Education and Skills told Northside People it cannot comment on individual cases.

However, the department pointed out that of the 1,300 special classes currently in place nationally for 2017/18, 115 special classes are in the North Dublin area, of which 92 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes. 

“The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through their network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO), continue to work with the relevant education partners in North Dublin to ensure that the required additional special class placement(s) are available,” the spokesperson said. 

“Where there is no placement available, the Department’s Home Tuition Grant Scheme can provide funding towards 20 hours’ home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.”