Autism Advocacy & Parent support
ASIAM HEADQUARTERS
84 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, D01 N4X9, Ireland
Telephone:
Email: www.asiam.ie
IRISH SOCIETY FOR AUTISM
Unity Building, 16/17 Lower O’Connell street, Dublin 1.
Telephone: 01 8744684
AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS IRELAND (AADI)
Mallow House, Shortcastle Street, Mallow,Cork Ireland
Telephone: 022 43851
THE SHINE CENTRE FOR AUTISM
The Shine Centre, Weston View, Ballinrea Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork
Telephone: 021 4377052
The Shine Centre for Autism
The Shine Centre, Weston View, Ballinrea Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork
Telephone: 021 4377052
http://shineireland.com/
Irish Society for Autism.
Unity Building, 16/17 Lower O’Connell street, Dublin 1.
Telephone: 01 8744684
Middletown Centre for Autism
35 Church Street, Middletown, Northern Ireland, BT60 4HZ
Telephone number: 0044 (0) 28 3751 5750
https://www.middletownautism.com/
PEAT
Parents Education as Autism Therapists
Innovation Factory, Unit 2.19, 385 Springfield Road, Belfast BT12 7DG.
Telephone: 028 9032 4882
https://www.peatni.org/
The New Social Story Book Illustrated Edition by Carol Gray.
Author: Carol Gray, Age Suitability: All
Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts,
by Baron-Cohen, S. & Bolton, P, Oxford University Press, 2008
The Autism Trail Guide: Postcards from The Road Less Travelled Future Horizons, NOTBOHM, E, 2007
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes you Knew
By Ellen Notbom
TEMPLE GRANDIN, Thinking in Pictures, Vintage Books, 1995 Since writing her first book Temple Grandin has toured and lectured extensively, and in so doing gained an even greater perspective of the experience of autism. Her comments and insight are invaluable for all readers
The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-so-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012): Jennifer Cook O’Toole
ISBN-10: 1849059152
ISBN-13: 978-1849059152
The Reason I Jump: One boys voice from the silence of Autism.
By Naoki Higashida & David Mitchell
Fall Down Seven Times, Get up Eight.
By Naoki Higashida & David Mitchell
Neuro Tribes: The Legacy of Autism & How to think Smarter about people who think differently.
by Steve Silberman & Oliver Sacks.
The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(And Their Parents) By Elizabeth Verdick & Elizbeth Reeve, MD.
Exploring Feelings for Young Children with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger’s Disorder
The STAMP Treatment Manual
Angela Scarpa, Anthony Wells and Tony Attwood
The Autistic Brain
By Temple Grandin & Richard Panek.
The Home Tuition Grant
The Home Tuition Grant is available to children with autism aged between 2 ½ years and 5 years of age who cannot find an appropriate early intervention placement within the State Education system.
The Department of Education will sanction Home Tuition for children who are unable to source a suitable place so that the child can get early intervention from a sanctioned organisation such as Shine Centre who have a direct payment agreement with the Department of Education or from suitably qualified Teacher/Tutor who can deliver tuition in the child’s own home. The Home Tuition Grant is an educational grant and cannot be used to access therapies such as Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy.
Follow the link below.
https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Home-Tuition/
Domiciliary Care Allowance
If you are caring for a child with a disability who has high care needs, substantially more than child of similar age, with normal care needs, you may qualify for a monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance. It should be noted that neither your means (the applicant) nor your child’s means are considered. The additional substantial care needs of your child must be expected to last for at least one year. This allowance payment is NOT based on the type of disability but on the resultant physical or mental impairment and the higher care needs associated with it.
Follow the link below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/30fac9-domiciliary-care-allowance/
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment for carers on low incomes who live with and look after people who need full time care and attention. If you are caring for a child who is under sixteen years of age, you must be in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) before you can claim Carer’s Allowance. “The Carer’s Allowance payment is made up of a personal rate for the carer and an increase for a qualified child. You may claim the full rate if you are a carer and are single, widowed or separated. You can work up to fifteen hours a week and keep your carer’s allowance
Follow the link below
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/2432ba-carers-allowance/
Incapacitated Child Credit
The Incapacitated Child Tax Credit is a tax credit that can be claimed from the Revenue Commissioner. The credit is granted if your child has a permanent physical or mental incapacity. The allowance must be claimed directly from the Revenue Commissioners by completing an application form available of their website. The tax credit is then added to your existing tax credits allowing you to earn more income tax free.
Follow the link below
Disability Allowance
The monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) payment for a child with autism is no longer payable once the child reaches the age of 16. On reaching the age of 16 the child is entitled to apply for a Disability Allowance payment. Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability aged between 16 and under 66.
To Qualify for the Disability Allowance a person must
- The person must be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from medical assessment or examination of the person’s disability.
- Be aged between 16 and under the age of 66
- Be habitually resident in the state.
- Satisfy a means test if required.
Follow the link below
PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH ASD UNITS
St Aidan’s NS
St. Aidan’s P.S, Convent Rd. Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 053-9235809
SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA BHANTIARNA LOURDES
Hospital Hill, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford
Telephone: 053-9377380
St. Senan’s Primary School,
Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 053-9234169
Ballycanew National School
Ballycanew, Gorey
Co Wexford
Phone: 053-9427496
Gorey Educate Together NS
Kilnahue Lane, Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 053-9489662
http://www.goreyeducatetogether.ie/
Scoil Ghormáin Naofa,
Castletown, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 0402-37596
http://castletownnationalschool.ie/
St. Joseph’s Primary School Gorey,
Co. Wexford
Phone number: 053-9421178
podgegorey@yahoo.ie
St. Patrick’s National School,
Craanford, Gorey, Co WexfordIreland
Phone: 053-9428333
Bunscoil Nic Amhlaidh
Catherine McAuley Junior School
Castlemoyle, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 051 425586
http://newrossjuniorschool.ie/
Bunscoil Rís
Edmund Rice Senior School
Bawnmore Road, Castlemoyle, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 051-448 378.
Cushinstown National School,
Cushinstown, Foulksmills, Co Wexford
Telelphone: 051-428 612
Scoil Mhaodhóig Poulfur
Fethard-on-Sea, New Ross,
Co.Wexford
Telephone: 051-397193
St. Joseph’s NS
Hilltown, Ballymitty, Co Wexford
Telephone: 051 561324
WEXFORD
Barntown NS.
Barntown, Co Wexford.
Telephone: 053-9120376
CBS Primary, Wexford
Green Street, Wexford
Telephone 053-9141324
http://www.cbsprimarywexford.com
Kilrane National School
Kilrane, Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 053-9133303
http://www.kilranenationalschool.com
Piercestown National School
Drinagh, County Wexford
Telephone: 053-9158854
https://piercestownns.wordpress.com/
Scoil Mhuire
Coolcott’s Lane, Wexford.
Telephone: 053-9144761
Scoil Réalt na Mara,
Kilmore NS.
Ballask, Kilmore, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 053-9135230
St. John of God
99 The Faythe, Wexford
Telephone: 053-9123105
POST PRIMRARY SCHOOLS WITH ASD UNITS
Good Counsel College
New Ross, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 051 421182
Fax: 051 421909
CBS
Colaiste Eamon Ris, Thomas St, Wexford.
Telephone: 053 9141391
Fax: 053 9146803
Bridgetown College,
Bridgetown, Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 053 9135257
http://www.bridgetowncollege.ie
Bunclody Vocational College
Irish St, Bunclody, Co, Wexford.
Telephone: 053 9377590.
Enniscorthy Vocational College
Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford,
Telephone: 053 9234185
Fax: 053 9234934
http://www.evc.ie/
Ramsgrange Community School,
Ramsgrange,New Ross,Co. Wexford
Telephone: 051 389211
Fax: 051 389187
https://ramsgrangecommunityschool.ie/
Gorey Community School.
Esmonde st, Gorey, Co, Wexford.
Telephone: 053 9421000
Fax: 053 9421118
The Collective Sensory Group,
Unit 2A Westlands, St. Johns Road, Wexford, Co Wexford
089 4440062
The Speech Centre
Suite 2, Redmond Medical Centre, Redmond Square , Wexford
Phone: 085 2121021
https://www.thespeechcentre.com/
Dermot Rafter – Behaviour Support Specialist,
Marlay House, Killurin, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Telephone: 087 287 9183
EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY
Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding School
Davidstown lane, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21 HY48
Phone: 087 160 7219
Rag Tree Equine Assisted Learning
Ballinamona, Kilmuckridge, Gorey, Co Wexford
Phone: 087 4425115
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ragtree
Railway Yard Gallops & Ballyfrory stud
Martina Doran, Ballyfrory, Duncormick, Co Wexford.
Phone: 051 563487
Mobile: 087 2247413 or 087 0629030
Sensory Friendly Appointments for Communions/ Confirmations
Shopping
Pettitt’s Supervalu in St. Aidan’s Shopping Centre, Wexford host Sensory Friendly shopping on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm.
There are two ALF trolleys available here, every day. ALF trolleys are available in many Supervalu stores around Ireland. https://supervalu.ie/real-people/autism-friendly/the-alf-trolley
Lidl Stores host Quiet Shopping time from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays in all their stores.
Christmas Experiences
Wexford on Ice annually offers sensory-friendly ice skating sessions as well as sensory-friendly Santa Experiences.
Santa’s Enchanted Castle in Enniscorthy also offers sensory-friendly sessions.
The Amber Springs in Gorey offer one Santa train Experience that is sensory-friendly.
Pre – booking is required for all the above.
In many counties in Ireland the waiting lists for public assessments is very long. Many families choose to get a diagnosis from a private practitioner. Such professionals should ideally be a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist or an educational psychologist.
If you are pursuing a private assessment in order to get an autism diagnosis so you can access services and educational supports in the long term, speak with your Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO) or your Local Health Office to make sure any assessment carried out is done in an accredited method as well containing the necessary information.
A report should include the following:
- Reason why the person is being seen
- Background information
- Previous assessment details
- School report (if the child is currently in education)
- Presentation – what perception the clinician has of the person being diagnosed; test results and their understanding of these results in relation to the person being diagnosed; Child Behaviour Checklist (to include summary, conclusion and recommendations – subdivided into referrals such as strategies for school and home life and occupational therapy); the clinician must also state under which autism criteria they are making their diagnosis in order for the child to receive resources from the National Council for Special Education.
- Recommendation for further support
- Clear language and definitive terms
For further information about the Assessment of Need, Public Assessments or Private assessments, see the following websites;
- asiam.ie/how-is-autism-diagnosed/
- citizensinformation.ie
To find a registered psychologist in your area search psychologicalsociety.ie
Please note: the following names appear as suggestions only. It is any individuals right and responsibility to outline what you hope to get from the diagnosis report before the process begins AND in the event your child does have Autism the practitioner includes the specific information needed for further services.
Psychologists used by families in CAN include the following (but are not limited to):
HONAN & ASSOCIATES 4 Molesworth Place, Dublin 2, Ireland
https://www.honanandassociates.com/
Lighthouse Psychology: 5 Pine Hill, Coxtown, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, EIR CODE X91 K2R9
Tel: 051 349680. Mobile: 085 2326557. info@lighthousepsychology.ie
http://lighthousepsychology.ie/
Inspire in Waterford Inspire MDT Unit 4 C, Manor House, Cork Road, Waterford. Phone: 01 443 9686
Dr Penny Rogers Care of Aspen Counselling & family life Centre, 23e Axis Business Park, Clara Road Tullamore, Co Offaly R35V3V9
Aine Smyth Clinical Psychologist 2 College Street R93 Carlow Co Carlow Ireland Telephone: 059 9132350
Parents of children with autism often report associated difficulties with the following areas;
SLEEPING, FEEDING, ANXIETY, TOILET TRAINING, SEXUALITY & SAFETY
Below are links to suggested resources and further reading. It is important to remember you are not alone and there is someone out there to help you. Always refer to your GP first.
http://www.sleephelp.org/autism-asd
Feeding: Consider finding a Speech & Language Therapist experienced in feeding disorders or a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with similar experience. There are some feeding program protocols you can follow such as well as many books published on the topic. Always talk to your GP to rule out any medical concerns first. Examples are:
SOS Approach to Feeding Broccoli Bootcampresources
Aniexty & Autism is very common: Living in a neurotypical world can be very difficult for someone on the spectrum, especially if you look at some of the positive autistic personality traits (e.g. honesty, directness, responsibility, focus, strong sense of social justice, punctuality). The neurotyical world often means people don’t do what they say or mean what they say, they don’t do the right or fair thing, they change their minds about plans and make frequent changes to daily routines There are many ways to manage and reduce anxiety. Speak to a psychologist about your concerns regarding your child’s ability to cope with stress. Educate yourself about the ways in which your child perceives stress, copes with anxiety and learn how to implement strategies that help. E.g. Providing order & consistency by using timetables, visual schedules, making changes gradually, having consistency around expectations, rules and consequences
Examples of books and authors writing about this include:Been There. Done That. Try This! An Aspie’s Guide to Life on Earth (collection of stories from people on the spectrum)
- Beating Anxiety What Young People on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know Davida Hartman
- From Anxiety to Meltdown How Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Anxiety, Experience Meltdowns, Manifest Tantrums, and How You Can Intervene Effectively Deborah Lipsky
Toilet Training: Many children with Autism struggle to become independently toilet trained. There are professionals who can help you with this. Talk to your GP to rule out any medical concerns. Your local Autism Liaison Nurse may be able to direct you to a HSE incontinence advisor. Alternatively find a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with relevant experience. There are many books available that deal with this topic
e.g., Toilet Training Success: A Guide for Teaching Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Frank Cicero (author) presenting on this topic: http://legacy.wpsu.org/live/
Further areas to consider with your pre/teens and young adults;
- Getting an up to date cognitive, behavioural or educational assessment to check your child’s strengths and weaknesses and formulate teaching programs targeting their needs.
- Assessing and developing goals in social skills and life skills
- Anxiety, depression, self-esteem
- Girls and Asperger’s
- Sexuality and safety
Dr. Tony Attwood – speaker and advocate on Aspergers and high functioning autism especially in regard to Anxiety, depression and self esteem
Dr Peter Gerhardt – speaker and advocate on topics relating to; Sex, sexuality and relationships, Adaptive behaviours for leading a successful adult life and Individual and community responsiveness for children and adults with autism. Find him on Youtube videos of conferences, webinars and articles written working for different organisations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mlI_fngqeg or https://iancommunity.org/ssc/webinar-skills-for-adulthood
See Jennifer cook o’toole for: asperkids.com & Sisterhood of the Spectrum: An Aspie Chick’s Guide to Life
This provides an update on the national health programme, Progressing Disability Services (PDS) and developments with regard to Children’s Disability Network Teams in County Wexford.
There is also a new referral form which all referrers will be required to complete under the National Access Policy (NAP) which you can download below.