Disconnect Between Parents and Teachers on Inclusive Education for Autistic Pupils in Ireland

Autistic children in Irish schools face significant barriers to full inclusion, according to new research from the Dublin City University Institute of Education. While parents and teachers may claim to support inclusive education, the reality is far from it. Just over a quarter of parents in mainstream schools believe that the Irish education system is inclusive for autistic pupils, and only 26% of parents in mainstream schools think that their child's school is inclusive. In contrast, a majority of parents in special schools believe that their child's school has sufficient resources and supports. However, a substantial proportion of teachers, school leaders, and SNAs in special schools feel that they do not have sufficient resources and supports. This disconnect highlights the serious concerns around the provision of education for autistic kids across Irish schools.

Key Takeaways:

Only 27% of parents in mainstream schools believe that the Irish education system is inclusive for autistic pupils, while 9% of parents in special schools share this view.
Over a third of teachers (34%), school leaders (32%), and SNAs (43%) in mainstream schools believe that the education system is inclusive for autistic pupils.
69% of parents believe that their child's school is inclusive, but only 26% of parents in mainstream schools, and an even smaller proportion of parents in special schools (9%), believe that the Irish education system is inclusive.
A majority of parents in special schools (96%) agree that autistic pupils attending their school are well-supported, compared to 52% of parents in mainstream schools.
Teaching staff at 81% and SNAs at 87% in mainstream schools believe that autistic pupils attending their school are well-supported.
A substantial proportion of teachers (42%), school leaders (60%), and SNAs (55%) in special schools feel that they do not have sufficient resources and supports.
Behind Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, autistic kids have the right to be fully included in mainstream educational settings, with individualized supports and accommodations in place.

Statistics:

27% of parents in mainstream schools believe that the Irish education system is inclusive for autistic pupils
9% of parents in special schools believe that the Irish education system is inclusive for autistic pupils
34% of teachers in mainstream schools believe that the education system is inclusive for autistic pupils
32% of school leaders in mainstream schools believe that the education system is inclusive for autistic pupils
43% of SNAs in mainstream schools believe that the education system is inclusive for autistic pupils
69% of parents believe that their child's school is inclusive
26% of parents in mainstream schools believe that their child's school is inclusive
9% of parents in special schools believe that their child's school is inclusive
96% of parents in special schools agree that autistic pupils attending their school are well-supported
81% of teaching staff in mainstream schools believe that autistic pupils attending their school are well-supported
87% of SNAs in mainstream schools believe that autistic pupils attending their school are well-supported
42% of teachers in special schools feel that they do not have sufficient resources and supports
60% of school leaders in special schools feel that they do not have sufficient resources and supports
55% of SNAs in special schools feel that they do not have sufficient resources and supports

Sources:

Dublin City University Institute of Education research
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 24
National Council for Special Education
Irish Times
TheJournal.ie