Defining “That’s a Bit Irish” in Real Life Ireland!

Only in Ireland

Only in Ireland will you be waiting years for an autism diagnosis, unless you can pay to go private. Yet every professional will tell you that early intervention is key.

Only in Ireland will you then be told with excitement that you can now get 20 hours of home tuition for your young child, without being told that finding a tutor is almost impossible.

Only in Ireland will you have home tuition for a few weeks, only to be told a placement has come up that you now need to take, or you will lose both, whether it’s suitable or not.

Only in Ireland will a child who doesn’t know their head from their arse be thrown into a mainstream school setting, with just a special needs class. It doesn’t matter what stage they are at; let’s throw everyone in together and hope for the best!

Only in Ireland will a qualified teacher with no qualifications in autism oversee a full class of autistic children.

Only in Ireland will you be granted school transport, only to be then told, “we have no transport available.” And also, no school.

Only in Ireland will politicians stand up and tell parents with special needs kids to simply contact your local SENO, who is there to help and advise you. Excuse me, Mr. Politician up in Dublin, but we have had no SENO in North Cork for a long time.

Only in Ireland will you see a mother write this.

Now that’s a bit Irish alright!