Education and Asperger Syndrome

Children diagnosed with AS present a special challenge in the educational milieu. Typically viewed as eccentric and peculiar by classmates, their inept social skills often cause them to be made victims of scapegoating. Clumsiness and an obsessive interest in obscure subjects add to their "odd" presentation. Children with AS often have good language skills including extensive vocabularies which mask their difficulties in communication - particularly in the social use of language and the ability to convey and understand meaning.  

The following pages have been designed to help and assist both Parents and Teachers. This is by no means a definitive guide and we would like to remind people to use any contact numbers provided and to visit the rest of our site for other relevant information. 

This first page is centred around Parent's Needs. Page Two has been established for Teachers.

For Parents and Carers

The information contained on these pages was designed to help parents improve their knowledge of the resources, services and options available to them within Ireland's educational system. 

Classroom Support  //  Assessment and Diagnosis

The Individual Education Planning (IEP) Process

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Notschool.net Ireland

Notschool.net is an Internet based ‘Virtual Online Community’ offering an alternative to traditional education for young people aged between 13-16yrs, who, for a variety of reasons, can no longer cope with school or with complementary provisions such as home tutoring or specialist units. Notschool.net is an option for young people disengaged from classroom learning because of illness, pregnancy, bullying, phobia, travelling, reluctance to learn, disaffection, exclusion. With over seven years solid performance in the UK, Notschool.net has successfully demonstrated that young people for whom ‘school does not fit’ can renew their confidence in learning and gain certificates that recognise their progress. 

 

Core aims are:

• To re-engage young people in learning
• To provide a secure, non-threatening environment without fear of failure
• To rebuild confidence, self-esteem and social skills
• To provide a bespoke pathway into further education, life-long learning and further qualifications.

 

They provide all the tools required - computer, printer, digital camera, along with a secure and monitored highspeed broadband connection (all line rental paid). Eircom have so far been very supportive of the project. For further information on the model of learning go to www.notschool.net. Notschool.net Ireland is being piloted in four regions - Dublin , Cork , Galway and Limerick .  They already have a number of referrals and have begun induction days. They currently have places available to young people from these regions. Please contact our team for a referral form or for further information on 01 4509406 or [email protected]

 

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Education Funding and Information

Third Level Education

One Source of Funding is the Department of Education and Science www.education.ie

Most third level institutions have Disability Liaison Officers and can be contacted through Student Services or through the Access Officer. The Disability Liaison Officer may provide a number of services including arranging any special access requirements, such as assistive technology, and provisions for sitting examinations.

The National University of Ireland may award a special grant of up to €500 to a student with a disability attending a course at a NUI college.

For more information, contact:
Registrar, National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin

Tel: 01-439 2424 // Website: www.nui.ie

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Department of Education Special Fund for Students with Disabilities.

This fund is specifically designed to financially assist third level students who have special needs. It is administered centrally by the:

National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education
Higher Education Authority, First Floor, Brooklawn House
Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4

Applications: Students should make applications to this fund through their respective third level institution in September/October of each year.

For application forms students should, in the first instance, contact the appropriate person in the third level institution e.g. Disability Officer, Access Officer, Student Services or the Registrar's office.

Further information on all aspects of education for people with disabilities is available from:

Department of Education and Science, Cronamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Ph: 090-6483600 or 01-8896400

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AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability).

AHEAD is a voluntary organisation working to promote improved access to third level education for people with disabilities. It has published “Accessing Third Level Education in Ireland – A Handbook for Students with Disabilitiesâ€, which can be obtained at:

AHEAD, Newman House 86, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Tel: 01- 4752386 // www.ahead.ie 

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Second Level Education

The NCSE (The National Council for Special Education)

The NCSE has responsibility for addressing the needs of primary and second level students up to the age of 18 years.

The NCSE - The National Council for Special Education was established in 2003, to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities.

With effect from 1 October 2005 the NCSE has been formally established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (EPSEN Act). The NCSE allocates additional teaching and other resources to support the special educational needs of children with disabilities. Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are now dealing with applications for additional teaching and Special Needs Assistant support for children with special educational needs from all schools. SENOs are also responsible for examining applications from all schools for special equipment/assistive technology.

How funding is administered through SENOs

Following a positive recommendation for assistive technology from the SENO, the Department issues the appropriate level of funding to the school that the pupil is attending and the school purchases the equipment appropriate to the student’s needs.

Making an Application for funding

The school makes an application to the SENO for assistive technology based on the needs of the student. 100% funding is available to the school to purchase assistive technology equipment to meet the student’s needs. Further information and details can be found on the NCSE interim website www.ncse.ie 

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