Language exemptions for Secondary school Autistic boy

todolist wrote: »

Don't you have to apply for an Irish language exemption? He has to do a mandatory foreign language.How did your child get the Irish exemption? Does he do a foreign language (French or German)?

The boss here says the school applied for it on his behalf and it was accepted.

He's first year so choosing subjects now - he actually wants to do French. A "third" language isn't mandatory in the school so he could probably avoid it if he wanted.

todolist wrote: »

Don't you have to apply for an Irish language exemption? He has to do a mandatory foreign language.How did your child get the Irish exemption? Does he do a foreign language (French or German)?

on what grounds did the school apply for your sons exemption.

todolist wrote: »

At the moment he's doing Irish,French and German.It's too much for him.I'm planning to write to the Principal to ask for an Irish exemption and maybe she could let him drop German and French too.

Why is Irish your first choice to drop?

todolist wrote: »

He has autism and dyspraxia.

My son has autism and when we went about attempting to secure an exemption for him we were told by the principle that he didn't fulfil the criteria for securing an exemption. We were told being on the autistic spectrum was not a reason for getting an exemption.

The principle is hiding behind the criteria and wont budge. He is learning his spellings off by memory but has no comprehension of the language.

French, german are not compulsory subjects, students do not have to study them, thats why they are no exemptions to be obtained in frech, or german. However, some school may want all students to study a language, and just to be mindful some third level colleges might look for a foreign language. For an Irish exemption, your child would have to fall under the 10th percentile in either word reading, or spelling or reading comprehension, additionally your child would have had interventions put in place to support his needs, to see if there was any improvements. Make sure whoever in the school is doing the testing, is qulified to do so. Guidelines include a parental request form for Irish exemptions - https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0052_2019.pdf

todolist wrote: »

How old is your son?

HE is 13 since November and due to go into secondary school September 2020.

alibab wrote: »

Getting a Irish exemption is not easy I have a son with moderate functioning ASD . His scores were just above the cut off for exemption . He is now struggling has no comprehension of Irish and is acting up in class because of it . Thankfully his SNA is fantastic help . He got 10 percent in Irish exam first year . It’s absolutely ridiculous that it’s so hard to get this .

This is the issue that seems to be there with respect to an Irish exemption, it focuses on the criteria and doesn't allow any situation outside those parameters.

Fleetwoodmac wrote: »

. If it is demonstrated that the child's difficulty in learning Irish is causing emotional upset, then an application for exemption is justified.

There is also now an appeals process for parents should an exemption be rejected.

emotional upset not being entertained by the principal of the school my son attends as they feel it does not fulfill the new criteria. The principal won't put a request forward and therefore we can't appeal.

That's appalling... it's almost like they set a child up to fail and demonstrate the anxiety. As we all know, the anxiety can be contained until the child is comfortable to release and will typically happen at home. I would imagine that it's a psychologist or another clinician who determines emotional upset, together with parents reports rather than a principal who expertise is in teaching. I would ring the autism support groups. I would also write your request and copy same to principal, and any clinicians involved in your child's care. This will formalize it. Also ring NCSE and ask for guidance. It's disappointing that the principal isn't taking your concerns on board. In my case, my son was granted the exemption two months in to his first year at secondary school but I had to really assert myself and quote the emotional upset which to my knowledge remains part of the exemption criteria. I don't know if it's allowed but if it is, do pm me. Don't give up yet.

THENORTHSIDER wrote:

The principals suggestion to support my son was to tell him reduce the amount of spellings he does for home work!!!!!

Wow! The level of ignorance in our educational system regarding these matters is disturbing

Fleetwoodmac wrote: »

If it is demonstrated that the child's difficulty in learning Irish is causing emotional upset, then an application for exemption is justified. There is also now an appeals process for parents should an exemption be rejected.

Nowhere in the new guidelines does it refer to anxiety / emotional upset as being a reason for an Irish exemption. The guidelines are very clear - and anxiety is no longer a reason to obtain an Irish exemption.

Parents should also note, that it also refers in the new guidelines that students with an Irish exemption may have to undertake another subject or short course. Therefore if parents were hoping to reduce the curriculum via an Irish exemption -this may not be the case.

" think my only option now to to pay a Psychologist to write a letter recommending he be exempt from Irish.". A recommendation from a psychologist is no longer sufficient, for a student to obtain an Irish exemption they must fulfil the critieria outlined in the new guidelines.

THENORTHSIDER wrote: »

The principals suggestion to support my son was to tell him reduce the amount of spellings he does for home work!!!!!

Have been onto support groups and was told they were currently lobbying the department and had no timeline on response. We won't give up as I really fear that his participation in full time education is at risk but we seem to be going around in circles. If the principal supported our request I think we would be successful however I fear they are trying to kick it down the road until June when he no longer comes under the schools radar.

Have you a link or number for one of these support groups ? Currently in a similar situation to the OP.