Concern over lack of autism units
THE County Council is writing to the Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton to highlight the concerns of parents about the lack of autism units in schools in Sligo.
Councillor Thomas Healy’s motion highlighted the ongoing lack of assessment and placement for young children with autism in Sligo primary schools.
He told the meeting that parents have informed him that the children’s psychological assessments were five months late due to a staff shortage.
“To make matters worse, parents are now being told that they may not be able to access an autism unit in their local schools and may have to travel long distances to secure a placement,” he said.
“What should be an exciting milestone for parents and children is being changed into a huge source of stress and anxiety due to a disgraceful lack of services,” he told members.