New autism unit for MacHale College

TUAM'S Archbishop MacHale College is welcoming the news that it is one of four Co Galway schools to receive special facilities for children with autism this term. A dedicated teacher and two special assistants will staff the six-pupil Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit in the co-educational secondary school from this month. The aim of the unit is to integrate pupils with autism into the larger school community. Principal Eileen Delaney described the new unit as a welcome addition to the teaching facilities. Following a recent evaluation of the school, Department of Education inspectors praised teaching staff for providing a full range of programmes for their students. 'To make the school more accessible to children with autism was a natural progression,' Ms Delaney explained. Commenting on the announcement of the facilities, Labour TD Colm Keaveney explained that the classes were 'provided for students who are progressing through the mainstream educational system and are now entering the secondary cycle.' 'These classes are attached to mainstream schools and facilitate the education of children with severe autism while also integrating them into the wider school community to ensure that these students benefit as much as possible from the educational system and the school community as a whole,' he added. The three other Galway schools to receive funding for new autism units were Gort Community School, Merlin Woods NS in Doughiska and Athenry's Gairmscoile Mhuire. The new autism facilities follow the recent introduction of an electronic books' initiative in the school at the start of this term. Junior-cycle students now take a lightweight net-book into school, on which reading material for all of their subjects is available. The step has reduced costs for parents and relieved students of the weight of heavy schoolbags.