A Dublin mum is set to protest outside the Dail this morning and go on hunger strike until her young son with autism is given a school place at a special school.
Nadine Staunton, from North Kings Street in Dublin, is a mum of three sons and her youngest two have both been diagnosed with autism.
She previously campaigned to get her middle son, Maddix, into a school three years ago after he was left on a HSE waiting list for years. He is now attending a special school in Donnycarney and "doing very well."
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Now Nadine's youngest son, six-year-old Jefferson, has been diagnosed with autism and needs to attend a special school with an SNA to cater to his needs.
Nadine told Dublin Live: "It's very hard, I had this three years ago with my son Maddix and now it's the same thing again with my son Jefferson who is in a mainstream school and needs to be in a special school with his own SNA.
"I'm going to the Dail at 11am on Tuesday because the Government is leaving behind kids with autism. I'm doing a hunger strike as well as long as it takes until I get answers."
According to Nadine, they were told by the HSE that Jefferson needed an SNA but he has not received one and she feels that he should also be in a special school.
She said: "The school he's going to now has an autism/ASD unit but there's a waiting list and the unit is full at the moment, the principal has told me. He's also got no SNA and I've offered to be his SNA in the class.
"It's heartbreaking, I'm begging the Government to give our children a chance."
According to Nadine, Jefferson is being given the same work as other students in his class and is unable to complete it, which is making him very upset.
On Monday, Nadine went to the board of education to seek help for her son and she has given them two weeks to help her son and after that she will stage a small, peaceful protest.
This morning she is going to the Dail as part of her campaign 'A Walk In Their Shoes Autism Awareness 2022' to get TDs to understand what it is like for families such as hers.
Nadine said: "I'm hoping that more mammies will see me and speak out. I'm going to be Jefferson's voice, it's my second time on this journey. I want the Government to walk in our shoes and help our children."
Dublin Live has contacted The Department of Education for comment.
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