Usually the only people who have a problem with the ‘labels’ ASD or ADHD are people who are so prejudiced against disabled people that they can’t face the truth, writes Victory White

Thousands of school support staff are to be balloted for industrial action as the Government announced plans to hire almost 1,000 more special needs assistants later this year.

By helping children with educational needs, special needs assistants play a key role in mainstream schools, writes Andrea Mara.

Up to 6,000 special needs assistants represented by the Impact trade union have balloted in favour of industrial action up to strike, over what Impact says is a reduction in working hours and fragmentation of SNA posts.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation has said the cuts to special education have devastated primary schools.