(Ireland) Moyvane: 5 autistic children "desperately" require school services
- The end of childhood
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
April 15, 2025, Sunday World: Mum’s fight for autism service in daughter’s school – ‘I don’t see why we should have to move’
As 10-year-old Caireann O'Flaherty enjoyed her birthday party at Murhur National School in Moyvane last Tuesday, Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly was pleading with government in Dáil Eireann to sanction an Autism Delivery Unit for her school.
Caireann is autistic and suffers from sensory overload from trying to function in mainstream classrooms every day. She is one of five children from the locality that desperately require a dedicated autism service in their school.
It’s exhausting on Caireann to the point when she sees her school uniform every Monday morning, her personality changes. Even though she willingly attends school and loves her friendships, it’s a constant struggle. . . .
If proper autism services – with therapy and environmental sensitivity – were in place, services Caireann and her classmates are entitled to, it would make a positive difference to her development.
Maggy explained that as Caireann is getting older she now perceives her behaviour as troublesome when in fact it’s just feelings of being overwhelmed.
Murhur National School is calling on the Department of Education to sanction an Autism Delivery Unit. A room within the school is already available that would give children like Caireann the downtime they need.
Maggie is often forced to collect Caireann early from school as she is ‘burnt out’ from trying to cope. This has happened more in the past year and is worrying for her parents who feel their daughter’s developmental milestones are not being met. . . .
Caireann is in third class and the older she gets the demands are greater. The fact she must return home most days is frustrating for staff who are doing all they can to help Caireann. . . .
Maggie is spending €180 [$204] a week on various therapies that should be part of Caireann’s education during the school day. One play therapist told Maggy that Caireann is one of the "most sensory children” she has seen for some time. . . .
Lastly, Maggie’s dealings with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have so far proven a fruitless exercise. They told Maggy they will ‘get back to her’ when they feel there is a need for a special class at Murhur National School.
“They came out earlier in the year and made recommendations. As a parent, and a school, we know there is a need for this class. Our school is so willing to open it. We need it,” Maggie said. . . .
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