An autism class opens. What happens then?

Political pressure around autism classes for schools in June saw Minister Josepha Madigan pushing schools to open autism classes for September. But what happens when the 'quick fix' breaks children?

The CEO of the company that made the sensory spaces for children with autism said: “Autism supports can’t work in a one size fits all environment."

Last June, Josepha Madigan, Minister for Special Education and Inclusion publicly named four Dublin schools for failing to engage with her department on the opening of classrooms for children with additional educational needs. 

Madigan told RTÉ radio that she planned to be “relentless” in highlighting any school that “refused to engage” with the department. For many working on the ground in education, it was seen as a publicity stunt.