Cork woman urges parents to 'raise their voices' for second-level autism classes

Katie Gould said her family’s Christmas card campaign directed at the Education Minister shows what can happen when people raise their voices

(Left to right) Katie Gould and her son Charlie who has been offered a place in an autism class in Ballincollig's new secondary school, Le Chéile. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

A mother whose campaign has helped secure the first second-level autism class in her town has urged other communities facing the same problem “to raise their voices” and demand change.

Katie Gould, from Ballincollig in Cork, said she is delighted that the town's new secondary school, Le Chéile, which opened last September, will open a six-place autism class this September. Ms Gould's son Charlie, who attends an autism class in his primary school, Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin, has been offered a place.