'Jay doesn’t need a babysitter, he needs an education. It’s his right'

A lack of school placement is leaving Rebecca’s son Jay stuck in limbo, writes Education Correspondent Jess Casey

Four-year-old Jay with his canine companion service dog Sophie. Jay is one of 20 children who are currently on the waiting list for a place at St John’s Special School in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. File picture

Rebecca Meehan hopes that she can set her four-year-old son Jay up to be as independent as possible. Jay, who is autistic and pre-verbal, has a sensory room in their home.

He has Sophie, his canine companion service dog, and when Rebecca spoke to the Irish Examiner, she was preparing to take Jay to a sensory barbershop for a haircut in the next county over.