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PARENTS OF CHILDREN with special needs have called for clarity on when their children will return to school as unions express concern about the safety of teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).
Special education classes are due to return to schools on Thursday, but unions have said health officials have not adequately assured their members that it is safe to do so.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Sarah Murphy, whose 12-year-old Tom attends a special education school, said the last week has been “a roller coaster”.
“On Friday everybody agreed and I woke up on Saturday morning and nobody agreed,” she said.
Murphy is in a group with around 500 parents and she said there is a high level of distress at the way in which the situation has been handled.
“I don’t think people really understand what a special school is,” she said. “He [Tom] has autism and an intellectual disability so while he’s 12 he really operates like a three-year-old or maybe four-year-old. And he also has Down syndrome.
School for him, it’s not really about learning. I mean, this isn’t really about education, special schools aren’t really just about teaching them, he goes to school for emotional, social reasons. And it’s the only outlet he really has outside his family. And that’s the way it is for a lot of kids.
She said it took a lot of work to get Tom to where he was before the pandemic and the return to school after the first lockdown was very difficult.
“When he went back after six months, it was almost impossible to get him in, get him on the bus and off the bus,” Murphy said.
“When he did go in he would lie on the floor licking it, not learning anything, and he knows a bit, but like most of the kids he’s not very verbal, he can’t express himself. Some of the kids in our group are completely non-verbal so it comes out then in other ways because you have to express yourself.
“So for our kids they express themselves through hitting, like he’s hitting and attacking people, and he’s not sleeping properly – we’re all not sleeping properly because the routine is completely gone.”
She said that while some children from special schools can do remote work, her son “absolutely can not”.
Murphy said parents are just looking for some certainty about what will happen, rather than a continuous back-and-forth.
“Sort it out, these are the most vulnerable people in our society these children and they are suffering, and everybody in our group will tell you their children are really suffering and they’re suffering as a family.”
New statement from Inclusion Ireland, @AsIAmIreland, @DownSyndromeIRL, and @CarersIreland on the continued uncertainty on re-opening of schools for children with SEN. We're appealing for the interests of vulnerable children to be prioritised: https://t.co/Rip16vuIEc pic.twitter.com/hzoJL0uB6A
— Inclusion Ireland (@InclusionIre) January 19, 2021
Four leading advocacy organisations, AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland, Family Carers Ireland and Inclusion Ireland, said today that children with special educational needs and their families and carers have been “almost completely forgotten about” in the conversation.
The groups have appealed for the interests of vulnerable children to be prioritised, and for the Government and education stakeholders to re-engage to find agreement on a suite of education support options that includes the re-opening of schools for children with special educational needs.
“The manner in which this issue is being dealt with – with u-turns, mixed messages and false dawns, needs to stop,” a spokesperson said. “The department and education stakeholders need to get this sorted once and for all. Our most vulnerable students – children with disabilities and special educational needs, their families and their carers have been almost completely forgotten about in this row.
“While a focus on the return to school should be a priority, in light of the continued uncertainty of a return to school for children with special education needs, urgent interim measures need to be put in place, whilst schools remain closed for these children. Direct virtual 1:1 access to the teacher, special education teacher or SNA, direct virtual access to therapy supports, in-home supports from a teacher or SNA will work for many of these pupils and in-school supports for those children who cannot engage in this manner.”
Eleanor McSherry, founder of the Special Needs Parents Association, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the topic has also caused conflict among parents.
“In my 16 years of being a parent of a child with a disability, I’ve never seen such divisiveness within our community and it’s very sad to see. I’ve had parents who’ve removed themselves from online social groups because they’ve been so upset by it,” she said.
“There’s a huge divide within the community because some of people’s children would not survive getting Covid, their children are not going to go back – they’re not going to send them back in.
The other half of the community, their children have intellectual disabilities and would otherwise be quite healthy children. Their children are regressing and they want the schools to re-open.
‘Draining’
Declan Smith, principal of Scoil Mhuire in Lismackin, Co Tipperary and an INTO member, told RTÉ, that the situation is “very draining” for everyone involved. His school is a mainstream school with some children who attend for special education.
He said many teachers have not been satisfied with the responses from government and health officials about the safety of a return to school.
Smith said the government has been engaging with the “top table” union officials rather than with people “on the ground” as he said teachers feel like they are not being listened to.
David Carter, principal of St Paul’s Youth Encounter Project in Finglas, said there is no point pitting “one cohort pitting against another” in this debate.
“What should have happened is we should all have got together on a solution based journey to try to find a way forward through this rather than pitting one cohort against the other”.
St Paul’s is a school for at risk youths that provides an alternative and less formal setting for children who have become alienated from mainstream education for reasons of truancy or behavioural problems or family difficulties.
He said the school was not set up for remote learning when the pandemic hit and had to put in place a new system that would work for its students.
“Really with the marginalised families we are working with, we found that some of those families hadn’t got the hardware, the devices, they hadn’t got Wifi,” he said.
“Some, unfortunately when you would arrive, didn’t have electricity. And some also didn’t have the know-how and the skill so we provided the laptop and the Wifi connection.
“We would leave the house, leave the laptop connected to the teacher who was remotely providing a class while we stayed outside the house as the IT support.”
Smith and a family therapist travel around the community in a van to ensure education can continue for these students. He said the solution does not work for all families due to the pressure it would put on the vulnerable child, but it has helped others to maintain engagement with vital services.
“Those who have participated are getting family therapy, they are getting engagement, they are getting the care, they’re getting a routine, but it’s not the same as on site learning.”
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But all lives do matter ?
@JillyBean: That was never questioned by anyone. (All lives don’t matter until black lives matter) However, mention that in an event for a marginalised minority is a tactic commonly used by the people who are trying to negate the message.
It was an event for the blacks. He should have stayed on topic.
@JillyBean: they do but the only use of that expression is to shout down BLM.
“X matters” does not require saying “Y matters” unless there’s a suggestion Y doesn’t.
@JillyBean: there was nothing wrong with his comment but BLM movement want everyone feel guilty and like a racist unless you pander to this nonsense.
@JillyBean: Not to some, hence the BLM movement and slogan. Context is important for a great deal of subject matter.
@family guy: Nah, they don’t though.
@Vanessa: It was an event to celebrate Fredrick Douglass’s trip to Ireland and life not an event for the blacks as you put it.
@The next small thing: Whatever makes you sleep at night. I’m not going to entertain putting the suffering of a minority in relevation.
@JillyBean: yes all lives matter and everyone should be treated with respect and compassion.
@JillyBean: hardly the point
@John Kieran: Nah, they do though!
@Vanessa: He did stay on topic. And no, some do have to have it pointed out that the same laws protecting others legally protect them, as well. We are all one race.
@JillyBean: you really need to look at the type of people who shout all lives matter and figure out if you want to be clustered with them.
BLM is a movement for black people which highlights the social injustices and inequities particularly towards black people.
While the movement isnt a perfect one, it is a positive one and on the right side of history.
@JillyBean: Is He not correct,–ALL Lives Matter –, what is the problem there. Do they think that some are MORE Equal than others???.
@JillyBean: yeah but that expression is from a right wing think tank that pops up every time a cop kills an unarmed black person or kid in America.
This is nuts that people have to apologise for saying what is correct.
@Michal Rozanski: He demonstrated a terrible lack of understanding if nothing else. He said that ”the remarks were picked up “incorrectly”’, which isn’t even taking full reponsiblity.
@Michal Rozanski: Great to see you read the article there thoroughly and then made your analysis and final conclusion public so quickly.
@Sean Lynch: I did read the article, and it completely does not change the fact that what he said is correct.
@Michal Rozanski: You are taking it completely out of context and purposely so… Why would you do that with something the means so much to people that clearly suffer under a racist system.
@Chris OB: Explain this “racist system”. How patronising and insulting it must be to know people pity you, when you know you are a competent human being making your own choices. In fact, my black family members think just that.
@Michal Rozanski: I wouldn’t crucify him for saying it, but at the same time the ‘all lives matter’ thing makes no sense and when used as a counterargument in the context of the BLM movement. Nowhere in the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ does it imply that other lives don’t. Of course they do. It’s a weak strawman argument primarily used by people that don’t understand the motivation or reasoning behind the movement.
@Fred spins kdb: Black lives matter implies that somehow these are more important than others, which they’re not. All lives matter should be their slogan, as it makes sense with their mission, which is to create equality for all.
@John Kieran: Full responsibility for what?? This Man said nothing wrong .
@Michal Rozanski: where does it imply that in those 3 words?
@Michal Rozanski: you are totally correct .
@Fred spins kdb: Black lives matter – there, by choosing one race it implies just that.
@Michal Rozanski: is it saying lives of other races dont? No. There are other races that don’t have to worry about being shot 41 times reaching for their wallet, or going to jail for 3 years for stealing a backpack, or being suffocated with a knee on their neck for using a counterfeit 20 dollar bill. The movement was born out of a desire to afford black lives the same worth as all others in the eyes of the institutions that have been consistently oppressing them for generations. Nobody is arguing that all lives don’t have equal worth, but sorry if the slogan annoys you.
Imagine in 2021 that saying ‘all lives matter’ would be something that would cause offense.
What’s it gonna be like in 10 years time with all the political correctness gone mad , and all the younger generation being taught through tiktok videos that their entitled to safe spaces and trigger warnings for everything, it’s alll gone mad Ted.
@Ronan J Walsh: no. The issue is that ALM was used to undermine the BLM movement.
In the case of this article. No harm was meant, he used the phrase trying to be inclusive without realising that could be seen as hurtful to some sections of society and apologised for any confusion.
A useful analogy would be calling residents of the 6 counties British. Lots of those people would get very offended. If it is a loyalist intentionally saying this, it is intended to cause hurt, and they should be called up on it. if it is someone from another country, who doesn’t realise the dynamics of the north, once pointed out that their “factually correct” statement may have upset a section of the community, they would apologise if they are a decent human being.
@Ronan J Walsh: Ah Ronan, Ronan. Saying its “political correctness gone mad” gives the game away.
@john doe: If truth undermines an argument, so be it.
@Ronan J Walsh: You need to understand the Historical Context.
In US history, there were a series of differences between the States, from the Declaration of Independence onwards. Each of these, up to 1876 were “solved” by a series of “Compromises”. EVERY one of these subordinated Black Lives and rights to the “needs” for unity. The first few licenced Slavery and its expansion. The 1876 Compromise licenced Jim Crow Segregation for almost a Century.
White lives mattered; Black lives did not.
Either consciously or not, BLM make explicit that, at this time and in this place, Black Lives Matter, for the first time in History!
All lives matter ! so whats wrong with what he said ! Why is he apologising ?
@IAmSCozzie: Well isn’t it obvious? All lives don’t matter.
@Bert Carolan: what????
Some people just desperately want to be American
@Crocodylus Pontifex: Exactly , BLM have slipped up in revealing their anti family communist agenda and if someone prefers to say ALM that is their right, can see the American cancel culture creeping in here as well, it was all over the comments on another story here last night, bloody sheep.
What a load of Drivel from both sides , No doubt Mr Douglass was a remarkable man deserving of all accolades , but the term all lives matter has now become a stick to beat non knee benders with . You have free speech slowly but surely being cancelled by the permanently offended
@Matt Black: You can’t say that, it’s offensive.
@Matt Black: I was delighted to see Rugby Players staying on their feet last week .
It is hard to take BLM serious all the time, when certain elements have been exposed as dangerous aka the looting/rioting/defund the cops/bullying/cancel culture/racist (ohhh the irony)/anti Jewish/Marxist views and also what happened with the EuroSpar and the guards!
‘Black Lives Matter has come to be associated with racial justice across the globe’.
Has It? I had assumed Black Lives Matter had become a political movement linked to the democrat party.
How does vandalising statues enhance racial justice?
@leartius: So you are obviously black and grew up in USA experiencing the injustice that has driven this movement.
@leartius: I didn’t know BLM were vandalising statutes.
All lives do matter, don’t they?
@Marg FitzGerald: Not to racists, no. It’s way too easy to assume that if you’re doing all right, that everyone else is being treated equally and fairly. In his position, he knows that people don’t always get fair treatment. Prejudice is sly and thriving.
Will we ever stop comparing ourselves to America FFS. Let them do what they do over there and we worry about ourselves. Surely we have enough to be worrying about here right now.
Load of BS. The permanently outraged making a show of themselves yet again. They are insufferable
“When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”
Thomas Sowell
The ALM thing is a bit like shouting “SAVE EVERYONE!” at someone collecting for Save The Children. It’s m0ronic.
Nothing to apologise for
Just ignore them, they (minority) are a scourge on society constantly outraged
Like all meaningful mantras,, they can be hijacked by a cohort with a hidden agenda. But it doesn’t seem like that here.
You’re at an event for something very in harmony and at the heart of the BLM message, and you say ALM as a public servant. Accountability is guaranteed. At the very least it’s totally tone deaf.
Very difficult to get everything right these days. Looks like it’s better not to open one’s mouth at all. Of course black lives matter as do all lives.
@Gearóid Ó Murchú: You will never get everything correct, because there are far too many ” Politically Correct ” out there , — can’t say that, can’t do this,– you might — or will–, offend someone. We are being pushed in the wrong direction by the “Politically Correct” Brigade. Tell everyone the truth, stand up against this cruisade that is being washed on us . EVERYONE obey the law as it is in OUR Country .
American lives matters. All lives, not so much.
But we’re all enslaved by banks and corporations! How’s does this all work…………
So mr Douglass effectively ended up campaigning for all lives. How dare he diminish black lives. What a whole load of pious indignant crap all of this is. Being married, heterosexual, male, nearing 60 I feel very very marginalised. I seek equality but that’s a dream. I’m also part of the squeezed so called middle class ( but of course Ireland’s classless). I’ve done my bit – given ireland 3 children to keep the good old Republic marching forward so their taxes can keep those in power in the life to which they are and will be accustomed. Where’s equality for me. Nothing but a dream.
I baffles my how many dopes need to be told that the “too” is implied…Black Lives Matter Too
You dolts
@KSham: Why is the “too” implied, seems like it would save a lot of grief if it was spoken, only a tiny three letter word.
All lives matter
Resign
@Chris OB: Who?
I’ll wait for a more rational critical take on this from blindboy in a week or two, some people in the comments here need help.
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