REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICAL OPENING OF A SPECIAL UNIT FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICAL OPENING OF A SPECIAL UNIT FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN AT ST. BRIGID’S INFANT SCHOOL
Holy Faith Sisters, Reverend Fathers, Ladies, and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to be with you today on the occasion of the official opening of the Special Unit for children with autism. I was also very happy to have the opportunity to visit the Mother and Toddler Group facility in St. Brigid’s Infant School - organised by the staff and parents of the school. I am grateful to Sr. Patricia Lahiff and Sr. Marie Hogan, the chairpersons of the respective Boards of Management and to Sr. Lucy McLaughlin and Ms. Carmel Lillis, principal teachers of the schools for their kind invitation to be with you here today.
Every child with autism has its own challenging complexity but medical experts have highlighted three particular core areas of impairment – the first is difficulty in social interaction and understanding, the second, in pretend play and communication, and the third, in creativity and imagination. But there is hope for growth in each of these areas for ground-breaking research shows that given the right kind of teaching and facilities which I am pleased to see are provided here, children with autism can learn to play imaginatively with other children. Increasingly such play is seen as essential in the social and academic development of young children.
In the past here in Ireland, children with autism have been catered for in a number of special schools, including ones for children with mild general learning disability and for children with emotional or behavioural disorders. The Department of Education and Science in its recent initiative, part of which is represented by the facility provided here, has formally recognised the distinct educational need of certain children with autism. From now on they will have access to a range of educational support services. The precise nature of the support provided will depend on the individual needs of each child.
I was interested to learn that there are now five pupils attending the special unit here at St. Brigid’s and that this number will in time rise to twelve in two classes. With two teachers and two child care assistants appointed almost immediately, the necessary impetus has been provided to ensure that the unit will be fully functional without delay. Teachers, Tara Barnett and Susan Byrne and childcare assistants Erin Hunter and Betty Doyle ably assisted by the principal Sr. Lucy and her school staff, have applied their professional expertise and performed trojan work to ensure that the unit functions to the high standards that St. Brigid’s is renowned for. I congratulate you on providing such a fine facility for these children. You have given them an opportunity to have their special individual needs catered for in a pleasant and caring environment.
Besides classroom activities, I was pleased to see that you have developed a programme involving the children in their community through swimming, shopping and weekly trips to the library. These activities give the children many opportunities for direct teaching of essential life skills. With this important individual attention and extensive support from home, the children are making good progress in their new school. Parents amongst you, who play such a crucial role in partnership with the school in the education of your child, must be reassured in the knowledge that they are receiving the best education to allow them to fully take advantage of life’s opportunities. Raising an autistic son or daughter is one of the most difficult vocations a parent can be called to undertake. The shape of family life, the demands on brothers, sisters and family friends are all very special and not always fully or well understood by the wider community. So often it is parents of autistic children who have to be their champions, not just caring for them but lobbying for the best facilities for them. It is draining work but done because of the passion parents have for their vocation.
This special needs facility is the direct result of the dedication, determination and love of the parents and teachers of these very special children. There are many others represented here who have played their part in making this unit a reality. There are too many to mention but I will say that every person associated with this fine facility must derive satisfaction in the knowledge that they have made, and will continue to make, a real difference to the lives of children now and for many years to come.
I do not underestimate the enormity and importance of your task in providing an appropriate education for these special young people but I am assured in the knowledge that there is a will to work towards success not only among those directly involved but in the community in general.
Guim gach rath agus sean ar na h-oidi agus an pobal i
gcoitine a saothraionn anseo gach lá chun leas na bpáisti speisialta seo a chur i gcrich.