Lack of availability in special classes for primary children with additional needs, report finds

Demand for special classes for primary school children with additional needs is not being met. Photo: Getty

Ellen Coyne

Parents of young children with additional needs want them to be able to attend special rather than mainstream classes in primary schools, but can struggle to find places, a new report shows.

The study by the Inspectorate of the Department of Education found that while children with autism had good-quality education in early-intervention classes, “insufficient consideration” is given to education they will have when they move to prim­ary school.