Parents of children with ASD in Monaghan town have voiced their concerns over the lack of special classes or units available in local schools. According to local mother, Siobhan Cawley, children like her daughter have been left with "no other option" but to be transported to units in rural locations some miles away.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Siobhan said she was "unaware" of the lack of availability until she was looking to enrol her daughter in a local school in Monaghan town.
While Siobhan revealed that "through the grace of God" her child was eventually granted a place to suit her additional needs, the only downfall is that it requires her daughter to travel outside of her locality everyday on a school bus.
Siobhan described the current situation as a "disgrace" adding that this is something that parents of children with ASD in secondary schools also face in terms of securing a place locally.
As a result, the concerned mother has started an online petition for parents to sign in the hope of creating some much needed change at a local level.
"Change is needed and it's needed now," explained Siobhan. "It's a basic human right, autism or no autism."
Siobhan continued; "It's heart-breaking to see your child getting on that bus when you know they are already anxious enough. Finding a school place for your child locally shouldn't be a constant worry, starting school is nerve wrecking enough for any parent, but when your child has to travel out of their locality for an education just adds to that worry and more needs to be done.
"I recently started a Facebook page titled 'Need for an Early Intervention /ASD unit based in Monaghan Town Primary Schools' and also an online petition for signatures. I'm hoping to bring this petition to the Dáil and to show the Minister for Disability just how Monaghan is struggling and how Monaghan town deserves this service.
"More and more children are being diagnosed with ASD, so it's important to put things in place now so that the children of the future are protected."
