/ 04
ASD Centre
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Helen Keller
It has been a very busy year for the 18 students, teachers and staff of the ASD classrooms. 8 students are preparing for the state exams - 6 for Junior Cert and two students are busy preparing for their Leaving Certificate Examinations.
This year we focused on making the school community aware of all the talents and abilities of students who avail of the services in the ASD classrooms. We adopted the theme of Different not less.
In March Adam Harris visited St. Paul’s as part of our Autism Awareness Week to talk to students, teachers and parents in the school community about his experience of coping with autism. This week was full of activities to heighten awareness and empathy in our school community. It included daily classroom strategies for mainstream teachers, Breakfast for Autism, Blue day, Coffee morning for parents and teachers. This week culminated in a fun afternoon for students at a Silent Disco. The ASD Centre also launched its “Ball Run” a fundraising initiative.
This year an ASD module was introduced into the Transition Year Curriculum. It was a huge success and as a result some students opted to do their Job Shadowing experience in the ASD centre.