ASD units approved for Spanish Point

TEENAGERS with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in West Clare can look forward to receiving second level education reasonably near their homes when two purpose-built ASD units are constructed at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.
The units, which have been approved by the Department of Education, will be purpose-built to meet the needs of children with ASD now nearing the end of their primary schooling. Currently, the county is served by dedicated ASD units in St Flannan’s National School, Inagh; St Senan’s NS, Kilrush and Broadford National School, with other children attending either mainstream primary or special schools in Ennis.  Secondary school pupils in Mid-Clare can access the special unit in St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla.
A number of teenagers with ASD from West Clare are being transported to a special school in Ennis to meet their education requirements, which has been described as unsatisfactory.
The new development in Spanish Point will allow for the integration of pupils with autism and the milder variant Asperger’s with mainstream education.
Welcoming the development, principal Mary Crawford says the children will now be able to avail of appropriate education and services in their local communities. 
In addition to visiting a new ASD unit in Ard Scoil CBS in Clonmel, St Joseph’s Ms Crawford has been in contact with the University of Birmingham, England, which provides upskilling courses for teachers as part of her extensive research. She has also received support from her sister, Dr Susan Crawford, who is a lecturer in sports studies and physical education in the School of Education at UCC.
It is expected the two-classroom suite will cater for up to 12 pupils with ASD and will include a central activities space, multi-sensory room and para-educational room with daily living skills. A two-room suite would need three teachers and four Special Needs Assistants.
Initial indications suggest six pupils with ASD will apply to enrol in the school in 2013, with another six expected in 2014.