We provide:

A co-educational Pre-school class for children with Autism which opened in September 2009.  The class caters for children up to 5 years of age.  We can take a maximum of six pupils.  We have one experienced, qualified teacher and two Special Needs Assistants (one for every three pupils).  The National Disability Team provide on-going support to us.  Our hours are 9.00 a.m. - 1.40 p.m.

 

Educational Approaches:

Our intervention approach is child centred and flexible in order to take account of individual differences.  We believe it is important to address 'the whole nature of autism' (Elisabeth Newson, 1979) and use a combination of intervention approaches.  These include:

• TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related communication handicapped Children)
• PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
• The Earlybird Plus Project run by the National Disability Team and includes training for parents.  Speech & Language therapy, Occupational Therapy and clinical support are also provided by the National Disability Team.

Our approach responds to the triad of impairment in autism and to the sensory needs of our children.

We include planned periods of physical activity and relaxation and address daily living skills education.

The Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the TEACCH Programme for pre-schools.  The Junior Infant Programme from the Department of Education and Skills is also used where appropriate.

IEP targets are set and reviewed on a regular basis.  Daily communication between home and school and regular meetings with parents are essential to our system.

 

(All enquiries: +353 1 6286034)

 

Click here to download our school brochure.