Feb 13, 2018, (Ireland) Independent: Mum 'at her wits' end' searching for school place for son with autism https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mum-at-her-wits-end-searching-for-school-place-for-son-with-autism-36598952.html A SINGLE mother from Dublin has said she is at her wits’ end trying to find a school to accept her son who has autism. Four-year-old Adam Grainger from Clonshaugh has no suitable school to go to in September. His mum, Susan, told the Herald that only one out of 17 primary schools in her locality has an ASD unit – a class attached to a mainstream or special school for autistic children. She said there are hundreds of other parents throughout the country in the same situation. “It’s a massive issue and it’s the same every year for so many parents like me” she said. … Niall Murphy, from Autism Ireland, told the Herald that the lack of ASD placements for autistic children is a widespread problem that the Government needs to address. “One big problem is that the Department of Education can’t force schools to put ADS classes into them,” he said. …
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.