Autistic boy refused school place wins appeal

A YOUNG boy who has been refused a place in more than a dozen schools because of his autism will have his dream come true by returning to class soon.

A school in Tullamore, Co Offaly, which previously refused to enrol Casey Naughton, is to be asked by the Department of Education to accept him after an appeals board found in favour of his mother. While formal notification will not reach Charleville National School until Monday, the principal and Casey’s mum Lisa were told of the decision yesterday.

“Whoever wins the Euromillions draw isn’t as lucky as I am. Casey’s already asking what colour his new uniform will be,” said Ms Naughton.

The school could not be reached for comment last night but it is understood the matter will be discussed by the board of management shortly. A spokesperson for the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said that enrolment is a matter for each school’s board.

The appeal taken under Section 29 of the 1998 Education Act was one of more than a handful Ms Naughton had been through to secure a school for her son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. The condition causes him to act up in class, which led to him being expelled from his previous school last February because staff said they were not resourced to deal with him.

The case was given personal interest from Taoiseach Brian Cowen, in whose constituency the Naughton family lives.

Casey had grown frustrated as his brother Jake was still going to the same school. He had been receiving home tuition but his mother found it was inadequate for his needs.

The Department of Education has sanctioned the hiring of a full-time special needs assistant, resource teaching hours and support for staff at the school.