New school for kids with learning difficulties

Early Language Intervention Ltd. (ELI) has added a new pre-school in Bray to supplement its current locations in Stillorgan and Monkstown.

ELI is a special playgroup that offers a structured approach to language learning for children with language delay.

This expansion will enable ELI to provide Early Language Intervention to more than 60 children with Autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disorders.

Children in the playgroup are aged between two and six and have a language delay or disorder as diagnosed by a speech and language therapist, a doctor, a paediatrician, or other associated professional.

Each group has a ratio of 10 children to three teachers, all trained in the ELI Method of stimulating language in preschool children.

The results have been significant with over 50% of children who graduate able to attend main-stream educational settings after one year, the company said.

Established in 2001, ELI aimed to meet the growing demand for language therapy services in the Dublin area.