“I should not be making clinical decisions which could be detrimental to the physical and mental health of my pupils”
The principal of Scoil Naomh Colmcille in Tullydonnell, Togher is refusing to make the impossible decision to take a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) off one child to give to another because, she says, the Department of Education has refused to allocate more resources to the school.
Anne Marie Ford wants to integrate children with autism into mainstream classes but has been told to ‘reprioritise’ and choose between vulnerable children in allocating existing SNAs (Special Needs Assistant).
Ms Forde ispassionate about integrating children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) as soon as possible into mainstream education to allow them to become independent and realise their potential.
The school currently teaches 24 children who have a diagnosis of ASD, from all over Louth and Meath, in four early intervention classes at the rural facility.
However the school says that the Department of Education has refused to give the school extra SNAs to facilitate moving children with ASD into mainstream classes and instead, has told Ms Ford to reallocate already scarce resources through ‘re-prioritisation of those with the greatest needs receiving the greatest support’.
Essentially, it means deciding to take an SNA from a child to give to another.
The extra supports were refused after the enrolment of children with Autism from early intervention, where they had been allocated their own SNAs into the mainstream school, a move which was celebrated by both parents and staff.
“I thought it would have been logical to just continue to support these children through their early years in school in order to sustain their progress but instead, I was asked to make a decision to choose from my most vulnerable pupils to allocate my existing SNAs,” said Ms Ford.
“I feel very compromised and upset about being put in this position and I feel I should not be making clinical decisions which could be detrimental to the physical and mental health of my pupils.
“Sacrificing one child’s needs to support those of another is very divisive. It leaves parents feeling very guilty knowing their child is accessing support at the expense of other children.
“Ironically if the children had stayed in an ASD class. they would automatically be allocated an SNA
“All research illustrates the benefits of early intervention in the prognosis of ASD and this was clearly demonstrated by the progress these children made while in the early intervention class here.
“Now they are being penalised for their achievement by taking their existing SNA from them and asking us to support them from resources already allocated to other children.”
A meeting will take place in the Monasterboice Inn on Thursday, 18th of November at 8pm for families who have children with a diagnosis of ASD.
Clinical psychologist Damien Connolly will present on the night along with parents who will discuss various difficulties surrounding resources and support for their children. Strict Covid -19 protocol will apply. Limited places available. Free tickets may be accessed on Eventbrite.
Anne-Marie is passionate about giving all her pupils the opportunity to reach their full potential and acknowledges that with the correct intervention every effort should be made to integrate children into their community primary school where they will learn alongside their neighbours and friends.
“This can only be achieved with continued SNA support in the early years with a view to gradually reducing access as the child progresses through the classes to promote independence.’
“This issue will affect many more primary schools besides Tullydonnell.”
Mrs. Ford has had a particular interest in the area of ASD having studied the areas of neuroscience and psychology of mental health in London and psychotherapy in Dublin’s Trinity College.
“Good leaders bring communities together in pursuit of the common good and good societies promote and protect the most vulnerable, the young, the elderly and those with additional needs.
“We do not want to look back with regret in years to come and wonder what these wonderful children might have achieved, had they had a chance to integrate into their schools. But this cannot happen successfully without adequate SNA support.”
