Colman Noctor: Long wait lists put children with additional needs at risk

Receiving an appropriate education is a fundamental human right for all, regardless of ability

Government needs to honour its duty of care to children with additional needs, Colman Noctor writes

A child with additional needs is challenging, but accessing State help makes it all the more so. The pandemic disrupted support services, but the issues pre-date March 2020. Long waiting lists for physical, psychological, educational or functional assessments for a child with suspected additional needs have been an issue for more than a decade.

Accessing support is often arduous, despite the clear need for early assessment and intervention. The waiting times are excessive, even if you are lucky enough to source a private evaluation, and the wait for the subsequent recommended treatment is often longer.