A new report from Down Syndrome Ireland reveals a significant shortage of appropriate special class placements for children with Down syndrome who do not also have a diagnosis of autism.
Imbalance in Special Class Provision
Data from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) indicates that for the 2026-2027 school year, there will be 2,876 special classes at the primary level and 1,217 at post-primary level. However, autism classes comprise more than four out of five of these placements.
Down Syndrome Ireland is advocating for a more balanced, needs-led approach to establishing special classes, ensuring equitable access for students with Down syndrome and other general learning disabilities. Dr. Fidelma Brady, Head of Education at Down Syndrome Ireland, stated that her organization is contacted “almost daily by parents struggling to discover a special class placement for their child.”
The report highlights a concerning trend: parents are now seeking autism diagnoses for their children with Down syndrome to enable access to autism-specific classes, as these are often the only special class options available.
Families Face Difficult Choices
Ursula Kelly, a mother from Tuam, Co Galway, shared her experience with seeking a placement for her 12-year-old daughter, Eleana, who has Down syndrome and a moderate intellectual disability. Ms. Kelly explained that she felt compelled to pursue a private autism assessment for Eleana because local secondary schools lacked special classes for students with general learning disabilities.
Ms. Kelly described the situation as a “sad reality,” stating that obtaining an autism diagnosis became necessary to secure a school placement for Eleana, potentially requiring a lengthy commute to Galway city if the diagnosis wasn’t obtained. She argued that the current system is “completely broken.”
Dr. Brady emphasized that students with Down syndrome “won’t get the most ideal opportunity to have the best possible education experience they could have, that will eventually prepare them for life” without appropriate placement options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Down Syndrome Ireland calling for?
Down Syndrome Ireland is calling for a national plan for special class provision and an expansion of disability and speech and language classes to better reflect the needs of the student population.
What is the current situation regarding special class availability?
The report indicates that autism classes account for more than four out of five special classes available at both primary and post-primary levels for the 2026-2027 school year.
What challenges are parents facing?
Parents report discrimination, waiting lists, and outright refusal of placements for their children with Down syndrome, leading some to seek dual diagnoses to access autism-specific classes.
How might the current trend of seeking dual diagnoses impact the availability of resources for students with autism?