Increase is posing challenges for education authorities to find appropriate school places for children with additional needs
The percentage of Irish schoolchildren diagnosed with autism has tripled in less than a decade, reaching about 1 in 20. This increase is straining the education system, leading to shortages of appropriate school placements for children with special needs and requiring hundreds of new special classes and school places annually. Experts attribute the rise to increased awareness, better diagnosis, and broader assessment criteria, with access to special education also influencing diagnosis rates.
