Parents are being urged to have their say on a national review of the law that provides for the education of children with special educational needs.
In the 19 years since the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act was established in 2004, there have been many significant changes and developments.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said that a review of this legislation, which is currently under way, is "important, to protect the interests of children and their families, and ensure that the State can make plans to provide for appropriate education for children with special educational needs".
The spokesperson also said that "significant efforts" are being made to consult with students and families of those with special education needs as part of this policy review.
"Significant efforts are being made by the department to consult with students and families of those with special educational needs who are currently, or have been through, the education system during the period of operation of the Act. A range of consultation methods will be used over the coming months.
"The views of experts are also being sought, to include those working in the education sector and people supporting persons with disabilities."
Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan launched the review in November.
It is expected that the review process will be concluded in mid-2023 with the delivery of a report that will include "full analysis of the stakeholder and public engagement, focus groups feedback and the evidence-based research".
An online survey is now open online, but it closes in less than two months on 3 March. With this deadline looming, a primary school principal is urging parents to speak up.
Principal of Scoil Naomh Colmcille in Togher, Co Louth, Anne Marie Ford is particularly concerned about the practice of separating children with additional educational needs from mainstream classes.
She said that this is "setting them up for a fall".
Ms Ford believes integrating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder into mainstream education allows them to become independent and realise their own potential.
She said: "If you segregate these children for 14 years, how are they expected to integrate into society when they've been shielded from it all their lives?
"When they reach adulthood, they are left facing further cliff-edges with no supports and very little resources after that."
She recognsied that ASD classes are beneficial for some, but she said best international practice is the model of total integration where possible. Teachers should have adequate training, sufficient resources and suitable class sizes to facilitate this, she added.
Scoil Naomh Colmcille has 15 children with additional educational needs in mainstream classes and teaches 24 children who have a diagnosis of ASD, from across Louth and Meath in four early intervention classes.
Ms Ford believes that the act needs to be amended to ensure all children are taught together with the additional resources they need.
"This is an excellent act but through no-one's fault, I feel hasn't been fully implemented."
All these new ASD classes are being opened with SNAs in schools now but there is very little training being given to staff on neuro diverse conditions.
"These children are being placed in beautifully modern and fully equipped classes but they are segregated from the mainstream classes.
"There is an exponential growth in children with additional educational needs and if you seclude them now from life, then you are setting them up for a fall.
"We have to teach all inclusiveness. What is the point of having an ASD class with 12 children?
"They should be integrated into smaller mainstream classes where there are extra resources given and training to teachers and SNAs on recognising and avoiding trigger points for these children through timely movement breaks."
She feels so strongly about parental input into the review that she has called a meeting to discuss the review of the Epsen Act at the Monasterboice Inn, outside Drogheda, next Wednesday, 11 January at 7.30pm and all parents are invited to attend.
"The act as it stands is excellent but we need more. The review needs to include all and give all children an equal right to education together."
