Autistic Child Facing Rejection from Schools, Mother Fears Continued Self-Harm
A Dublin mother, Charlotte Cahill, is facing a heartbreaking situation as her five-year-old autistic daughter, Cyra, has been rejected from 32 schools. Despite her best efforts, Cyra has not been accepted into any school almost a month into the term, leaving Charlotte worried about her daughter’s well-being.
Struggles to Find a Suitable School
Cyra, who struggles to cope in mainstream schools, requires a placement in a special school. However, Charlotte has been told that her daughter needs an Assessment of Need (AON) before she can be considered for admission. The AON is essential for children or young people with disabilities, but the waitlists are notoriously long, adding to the family’s frustration.
After years of waiting, Cyra finally received her AON report last August. However, Charlotte was shocked to discover that a vital part of the assessment – the cognitive assessment – was missing. This omission has led to Cyra’s repeated rejections from schools, as she does not meet the necessary criteria without the complete assessment.
Challenges and Complexities
Cyra’s situation is further complicated by her complex autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance, epilepsy, and eating disorder. Charlotte emphasizes the urgency of finding a suitable school placement for her daughter, as she fears that without proper support, Cyra may resort to self-harm, as she has done in the past.
The emotional toll of the ongoing struggle is evident in Charlotte’s words: “It’s disgraceful the situation that we are in, it’s failure after failure and it’s taken a very long time to get Cyra to where she is.”
Advocating for Change
In a show of solidarity with other parents facing similar challenges, Charlotte joined a protest outside Leinster House organized by disability rights and autism campaigner Cara Darmody. The gathering aimed to raise awareness of the difficulties families like Charlotte’s face in accessing appropriate education and support for their children with special needs.
Cara Darmody, a 14-year-old advocate with two autistic brothers of her own, highlighted the urgent need for action, stating, “The fact permanent damage is happening to children is a national disgrace!”
Looking Towards the Future
As Charlotte continues to navigate the system in search of a suitable school placement for Cyra, she remains hopeful but realistic about the challenges ahead. With long waiting lists and bureaucratic hurdles to overcome, the road ahead is uncertain for this devoted mother and her daughter.
In the meantime, Cyra remains in a preschool for children with autism, where she receives some level of support. However, the looming uncertainty of her educational future weighs heavily on Charlotte, who is determined to advocate for her daughter’s right to a quality education.
The journey ahead is filled with obstacles, but Charlotte’s unwavering determination and love for her daughter drive her to continue fighting for Cyra’s right to an education that meets her unique needs. As the community rallies around families like Charlotte’s, the hope for a brighter future for children with special needs grows stronger.
