Meath County Council said it hopes to find a resolution soon after receiving a complaint about a decision to cease communication classes for autistic people at a local hub.
The one-to-one lessons have been held in a small room at a building containing Enfield community and enterprise hub and the town library, which is operated by the council.
Colleen Mannion, teacher and founder of All Ability Learning Ireland, claims she was told last Wednesday that, due to a noise complaint, her classes would no longer be accommodated at the hub from the end of the month and that the contract would not be renewed. Ms Mannion strongly refutes the suggestion that there was a lot of noise coming from the class on any given day.
She has been renting a space at the hub since the end of May and deliving rapid prompting method (RPM) classes to seven people on Wednesdays and Saturdays. RPM uses a system of prompts, letter boards and keyboards to help autistic people, especially those who are non-verbal or have minimal speech, learn to communicate by spelling.
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She says she became aware of a noise complaint just over a week ago and took immediate action to address it.
“I wrote a general letter to everyone explaining what the classes were about and that sometimes vocalisation did occur,” she said.
“I asked them for patience while we established our routine and to contact me straight away if they were bothered by any noise. I hand-delivered the letters to other users and left letters on tables in the library.”
A community centre was asked if it had space for the class, but it is undergoing a remodelling that will not be finished until January, she said.
“There is a sensory table in the library, but yet I can’t hold classes for individuals with autism.”
The situation is “disheartening and heartbreaking”, she said, adding that she teaches at centres across the country that have “welcomed us with open arms”.
“This is seclusion, not inclusion, and a jump backwards for people with autism.”
Ellen Rochford, whose nine-year old son Finn attends the class, said the move is discriminating. Finn is non-verbal and was responding well to the lesson plans, Ms Rochford said.
“I was in disbelief at first. Then it felt like segregation,” she said.
“We have spent the last nine years teaching Finn to participate in his community with success. We want to make his life as open as possible,” she said.
Ms Rochford said parents of children with autism are conditioned to feel “lucky” when they receive access to services. “Sometimes, it is not good enough to accept the crumbs we are given. We have to push back, and this time we are pushing back and calling this out,” she said.
In a statement on social media, advocacy group Enfield Autism Friendly Town said it is aware of “upset caused by a recent interaction between members of our community and Enfield library”.
It said its committee is in touch with both parties and is making “every effort” to achieve a positive outcome that prioritises inclusion and accessibility.
Meath County Council said it is “aware of a complaint regarding the cessation of RPM lessons” in a small meeting room at the Enfield hub. It said it is engaging with local groups regarding services and the possibility of expanding such services.
“The council hopes to resolve this matter promptly to ensure that all our service users feel supported and respected,” it said.
