20 schools refuse to enrol autistic boy

THE mother of a nine-year-old autistic boy turned away by more than 20 schools has had to borrow money to pay for the home tuition being provided by the Government.

Casey Naughton was expelled from a local primary school last February because of problematic behaviour associated with his Asperger Syndrome illness.

But his frustrated mum, Lisa Naughton, has gone to great lengths to have him enrolled elsewhere, only to be refused at every door she knocks on.

In the meantime, the Department of Education sanctioned nine hours a week of home tuition since April to help Casey keep up with his learning.

But Ms Naughton only received the first cheque to cover the costs from the department last week, for €1,600 of the €4,500 she owed the tutor.

“I’ve already had to borrow the money to pay for home tuition, there’s no way I can continue this if Casey has no school place in September,” she said.

Sadly, that looks like being the case as it will be mid-August at the earliest before any decision issues in the appeals she is about to lodge with the Department of Education against a number of schools that refused to enrol Casey.

“I can understand schools’ reluctance to take him but he’s not a bold child, his behaviour is associated with his autism and any school which takes him will have great support,” said Ms Naughton.

The National Council for Special Education has sanctioned a special needs assistant, resource and learning support classes, and training for teachers to help them understand and deal with Casey’s behaviour.

However, his condition has got worse since leaving school in March, as the interaction he enjoyed with other pupils has been lost.

“He doesn’t even want to go outside. But when he was at school he always had friends to play with and he was always invited to all the birthday parties,” said his mother.

The National Educational Welfare Board has been advising Ms Naughton on the appeals process and Casey’s education rights but she feels she is being moved from pillar to post.

“The Government says they are doing all this great work for autism but they’re only covering the basics.

“Children like Casey who are functioning above those in dedicated autism schools are being left to fall between the cracks even though they should be able to go on and become active citizens who can vote and contribute to the economy, even if they have a disability,” said Ms Naughton.