The Inspectorate of the Department of Education have published a thematic report on provision in early intervention classes for children with autism. The report draws on findings from inspection visits to fifteen early intervention classes conducted between September and December 2023.

Overall, inspectors found that the quality of provision in early intervention classes is generally good. Many of the schools supported the children well and most teachers prepared very appropriate learning activities based on the children’s interests, strengths and needs. Almost all schools had good systems in place to help the children feel safe, connected and supported, and many teachers used autism-specific assessment and teaching approaches and had a strong commitment to professional learning in autism.

Reacting to the report’s publication, Mike Taylor, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at FASD Ireland said; “We very much welcome and celebrate the successes of the early intervention programme for children with autism and we are very happy to see that on the whole, educators working in these settings are catering specifically to the needs of children with autism and ensuring that the curriculum fits around the child, and not the other way around. Any step toward a more child-centred approach to teaching and learning is to be celebrated.”

He continued; “I want to especially welcome recommendations around the need for a clearer vision for an inclusive education system. According to figures from the HSE, the prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Ireland is up to 7.4% meaning that for every class of 30 children in Ireland, 2 of those children are living with FASD. On a wider scale, that means a school of 300 children would have around 22 children who are living with FASD. Recent research from Dr. Katy Tobin at Trinity College Dublin has found that 25% of children with a diagnosis of FASD are falling through the cracks, unsupported and leaving education before they reach 14 years of age. With the right support provided by an inclusive and child-centred education system, these children will have the appropriate scaffolding in place to complete their education, with the potential to go forward after leaving education to live independently within the limits of their disability.”

Taylor concluded; “We are very keen to engage with this restructured and expanded NCSE to ensure that no student in Ireland with FASD or any other neurodevelopmental disorder falls behind. We look forward to engaging with the Minister for Special Education and Inclusion and cabinet colleagues as we seek to build a cross-departmental programme of work to support people living with FASD, their families, carers, and supportive professionals. The Taoiseach has recently established a Cabinet subcommittee on Disability, and we believe that this could be a powerful vehicle for necessary disability policy change in this country. We are engaging with families on a daily basis through our FASD Hub Ireland support and advice line who tell us exactly what changes are needed and we are committed to working with key stakeholders on all sides to make those changes a reality.”