Madam, - As a clinician working in the field of intellectual disabilities, I am incredulous at the implementation this school year of extraordinary narrow guidelines for the granting of special needs assistants in the classroom.
These guidelines have had a devastating effect on many parents seeking to promote positive learning opportunities for their children.
What is absolutely self-evident is the total lack of understanding by the Department of Education of the learning needs of special needs children. This augurs very badly for the proposed Education Disability Bill and is a harbinger of greater restrictions to come.
The Minister of Education, who has flown many political kites, cannot be so politically naïve as not to comprehend the alienating effect of this policy on parents who seek inclusive education for their children. - Yours, etc.,
STEPHEN KEALY,
Director of Psychology,
Sisters of Charity Services,
Moore Abbey,
Monasterevan, Co Kildare.