Casey in danger of falling through cracks in system

LISA Naughton has been courageous in her battle to secure a school place for her son, Casey.

Just like every other child in the country he has a legal entitlement to an education, but almost two dozen schools in a wide radius have found reason to refuse him entry.

Many are justifiably concerned that they may be incapable of dealing with his needs, particularly his behaviour which is associated with his Asperger’s syndrome. As she puts it, he is in danger of falling through the cracks of an education system still not equipped to meet the needs of all children with special requirements.

While there have been huge improvements in the level of educational services and supports for pupils with learning difficulties ranging from dyslexia to severe autism over the past number of years, the Government still has massive strides to take before it can boast having the necessary measures in places.

Despite the support of the National Educational Welfare Board, charged with ensuring every child receives their statutory entitlement to an appropriate education, Lisa has been unable to secure a school place for Casey.

No parent would take the decision lightly to put together a placard and bring their child to lobby the Taoiseach at a local public ceremony as Lisa did last Friday. But no parent should even have to face making that decision in a country which boasted being one of the world’s most prosperous for the past decade.

Just as research published yesterday shows that most children with intellectual disabilities have not had their needs assessed before the age of five, the level of service for those with special educational needs is far less than should be available.

Shortfalls in staffing for the National Educational Psychological Service mean children wait longer to have their needs assessed, and subsequently longer to have support provided in the shape of special needs assistants, resource teaching or home tuition.

Stricter compliance with rules on the allocation of special needs resources is also likely to restrict access to resource teachers for children with milder learning difficulties over the next year.

Nobody doubts that some belt-tightening across public services is needed, but the purse strings simply have to be loosened significantly in some areas if vulnerable citizens are to be afforded their legal entitlement to education and other services — without having to rely on promises from senior politicians.