Six Laois primary schools and four secondary schools have been approved for additional ASD classes.
These classes will help children with autism integrate into the traditional school system while also providing the full range of support that they need.
The schools availing of these services are Arles NS, Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix, Ballylinan NS, Scoil Eoin Phoil Naofa Ballyroan, Scoil Bhríd Rathdowney and St Joseph’s, Borris-in-Ossory.
The secondary schools benefiting from this too are Colaiste Íosagán Portarlington, St. Fergal’s College Rathdowney and the Community School Mountrath which will receive one extra class along with Scoil Críost Rí which will have two new classes.
Local Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has welcomed the progress from the Department of Education on the provision of new special classes for children with autism in Laois.
He said that numerous parents had contacted him over the subsequent months regarding new classes being put in place before the upcoming academic year.
Stanley was also informed in a separate initiative that Shanganamore NS at Barrowhouse will receive two badly needed modular units used to cater for the existing ASD classes in the school.
He also urged the department to have the units installed and functional by the start of the school year in September.
Brian Stanley TD said: “The importance of providing these additional classes cannot be overstated, as it is a well-established fact that intervention at the early stages of development and learning is crucial in terms of the lifelong experiences of children with autism.”
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