Disabled children at centre of row

WHEELCHAIR-BOUND and epileptic, Aidan Boyd has been at a severe disadvantage since the moment he was born.

Profoundly mentally handicapped, the eight-year-old spends five hours every weekday at a Developmental Education Centre on Dublin’s Navan Road, where a child who can speak is unusual.

More than half can’t walk; almost all have behavioural problems and 78% take prescribed medication. Wearing nappies is the norm and 70% suffer seizures.