Tag Archives: Autism Spectrum Disorder

LIDL Ireland has apologised to a Corofin father for any distress caused to his 11-year-old autistic son over its failure to turn down music in its Ennis store. Adrian Beakey has appealed to all retail outlets to show more understanding concerning the sensory needs of children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder following a recent incident in Lidl’s discount supermarket in Gort Road, Ennis. Mr Beakey recalled his son, Marcus, became distressed while they were shopping because the music in the store was loud particularly at the area near the tills where the speakers were located. “It was quite busy. I was waiting in a queue. I went up to a cashier and asked if could I speak to a manager. She put her hand up and said I am the manager. “I said my son is autistic, if you could turn down the music a small bit, I would appreciate it.” Mr Beakey recalled the manager claimed she didn’t …

Plans have been unveiled for the re-opening of schools for children with special needs in Clare next Thursday much to the relief of local parents who have struggled to cope with the blanket school closure.   CLARE parents of children with special needs are hoping that Education Minister Normal Foley delivers on her promise of a phased re-opening of special schools next Thursday. In a letter sent to school principals on Friday, the Department of Education stated pupils in special schools will attend on alternate days, while pupils in specials classes in mainstream primary schools will attend every day. The department also outlined pupils with significant additional needs in mainstream classes in primary schools will have access to in-school teaching and learning. “All staff, including all teachers and special needs assistants, who work in special schools should return to work , other than in circumstances provided for by the occupational health scheme, or whose staff are on approved leave. Concern …

THE number of children attending Inclusive Athletics in Clarisford Park, Killaloe is increasing every week thanks to the success of a project driven by parents of children with disabilities. What started as a pilot project have gone from strength to strength and it is now a weekly fixture on Saturday morning that is eagerly-anticipated by both parents and children with disabilities. Nicola Welford explains the group want children to move from inclusive to mainstream, if this is at all possible, as part of their overall progression. She is looking forward to the opening of the new all weather Derg AC €500,000 athletics track as their sessions will not be impacted as much by rain. “Every week we have a new child starting with us as parents are discovering inclusive athletics. The main comment from parents is ‘I can’t believe I didn’t know about it and I can’t believe this is happening’ because there is nothing happening for children with special …