Ballinasloe National School

In September 2007, an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Unit was opened as part of Scoil an Chroí Naofa. This unit caters for the needs of children with ASDs who are of school – going age. The pupil-teacher ratio in the Unit is 6:1 and pupils are further supported by a minimum of two Special Needs Assistants per class.

For children with ASDs, early intervention is very important, as are appropriate teaching methods and behaviour management programmes. Such a package helps children develop important social, communication and play skills that provide the basis for future learning and socialisation. The benefits of early identification and structured intervention are widely acknowledged. ASD classes at Scoil an Chroí Naofa cater for the large catchment area of Galway extending as far as Portumna, Eyrecourt and Mountbellew. Transport for these pupils is provided and is funded by the

Transport Section of the Department of Education & Science. Scoil an Chroí Naofa supports the findings of the Task Force on Autism 2001 in that there is no single method that should be used exclusively to meet the varied needs of children and young people with ASDs, but rather a variety of best practice methods are employed.

Our Weekly Routine 

On Monday's we do baking and cooking, at the moment we are baking brown bread. On Tuesday's we go to the local swimming pool, the Kingfisher to have swimming lessons. All of the students love this activity and have benefited hugely from the instruction of the wonderful coaches in the Kingfisher. Wednesday is our Art and PE day. On Thursday we have a visit to our local library and finally Friday, the visit to a local restaurant in Ballinasloe completes our week. We have a busy schedule in the classroom but our outings certainly make the week more exciting for the students! We rely on the paitence and understanding of the staff at the Kingfisher, the library and restaurant to make our visits a success. They always welcome us with open arms and make our outings so enjoyable. 

Working with outside Agencies

 Scoil an Chroí Naofa works closely with the HSE to facilitate other multi-disciplinary support such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy in the school. The multi-disciplinary team play a central role in the education of pupils with autism, and the development and implementation of individualised learning programmes.

The Rainbow Room has a Sensory Integration Room and a Multi-Sensory Room.The unit aims to offer an Autism specific learning environment within a mainstream school. This type of educational setting facilitates optimum inclusion as part of the school community with access to mainstream activities as appropriate.

The classrooms are physically structured in accordance with the TEACCH Model, with specific areas for individual learning, group work, play and lunch.

The Curriculum

 Scoil an Chroí Naofa places emphasis on developing each child to their fullest potential mindful of the need to assist children in developing their communication, play, social, behavioural and general life skills. Simultaneously, the teaching staff provide access to the Primary School Curriculum. Using the best practice methodologies an effective programme is tailor made for each child.

In the Autism class inclusion with mainstream peers and activities is sensitively managed and detailed consideration is given to each child’s readiness to engage in an inclusive manner with the mainstream programmes.

Parental involvement in the learning and teaching programmes of children with ASDs is imperative in order to foster consistency between all environments for the children. Scoil an Chroí Naofa promotes and facilitates close liaison with parents so that the home and educational environments can complement and reinforce learnings.