April 24, 2018, (Ireland) Leitrim Observer: More Leitrim Autism Units to be built this year https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/news/309464/more-leitrim-autism-units-to-be-built-this-year.html A number of Autism Units are expected to be built in Leitrim during this school term 2018/19. Minister Richard Bruton informed the Dáil that 12 Autism Units will be built within Sligo/ Leitrim and Donegal this year. Since 2011 the number of ASD special classes have increased from two to five in Co. Leitrim. The new ASD classes will include five new Primary ASD classes and seven new Post-Primary ASD classes…. Since 2011, the increase in [Special Needs Assisants] SNAs has been 3,545, including an additional 2,080 posts in the last two years. The number of resource teachers has increased by 3,660 since 2011, including 1,600 additional posts in the past two years. The number of special classes has risen by 712 since 2011, including 277 new classes in the past two years.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.