End of Year Video
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A little end of year message for the boys from Lisa, Joanna and Ms Kerr.
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Enjoying a game of Checkers
Things to Do this Summer
Outdoors and Free of Charge
1. Walk the coastline of Meath. Start at Maidens Tower and walk on the beach at Bettystown, through Laytown and eventually onto Gormanstown. It is a long walk but if the weather is fine then you’re blessed
2. Hill of Tara- (Between Navan and Dunshaughlin) This is a wide open area of a few Kms. Plenty green fields and grass. Great views of County Meath. You can see the Cooley Mountains and the Cement Factory at Platin on a very fine day. It is a historical site- The High Kings sat there, St. Patrick was brought there and there was a famous battle there in the 1798 rebellion.
3. Dowth- Between Drogheda and Slane. Like Newgrange an ancient passage tomb. It is well worth a visit especially to the climb to the top of the hill for the views around East Meath. On a clear day one can see The Hill of Tara.
4. Oldbridge- Walk around Oldbridge estate. Oldbridge house is closed for now but the grounds are open for people to walk. Can also see the Boyne Canal from here.
5. Fourknocks- Like Newgrange, a passage tomb between Stamullen and The Naul. It is much smaller than the passage tombs in the Boyne Valley but there are wonderful views of the other side of the hill at Bellewstown.
Autism and Sensory Friendly
1. Sensory Space Drogheda https://www.facebook.com/SensorySpace.ie/
Due to re-open soon this might be an ideal place to visit over the summer Holidays.
2. Dublin Zoo gives free entry to a carer visiting with a child with special needs https://www.dublinzoo.ie/
You do have to book in advance at the moment but there is plenty of space and fresh air.
3. The Arc cinema will be reopening soon and they run Autism friendly screenings from time to time http://drogheda.arccinema.ie/sensory.php
4. Adam and Friends is one of Ireland’s leading supplier for sensory and soft play areas. You can visit but pre-booking is essential http://adamandfriends.ie/
5. Aquariums can be a very therapeutic place for some children with autism. Sea Life in Bray will be reopening at the end of the month with limited tickets available each day https://www.visitsealife.com/bray/ They offer discounts for visitors with special needs and their carers.
1. Walk the coastline of Meath. Start at Maidens Tower and walk on the beach at Bettystown, through Laytown and eventually onto Gormanstown. It is a long walk but if the weather is fine then you’re blessed
2. Hill of Tara- (Between Navan and Dunshaughlin) This is a wide open area of a few Kms. Plenty green fields and grass. Great views of County Meath. You can see the Cooley Mountains and the Cement Factory at Platin on a very fine day. It is a historical site- The High Kings sat there, St. Patrick was brought there and there was a famous battle there in the 1798 rebellion.
3. Dowth- Between Drogheda and Slane. Like Newgrange an ancient passage tomb. It is well worth a visit especially to the climb to the top of the hill for the views around East Meath. On a clear day one can see The Hill of Tara.
4. Oldbridge- Walk around Oldbridge estate. Oldbridge house is closed for now but the grounds are open for people to walk. Can also see the Boyne Canal from here.
5. Fourknocks- Like Newgrange, a passage tomb between Stamullen and The Naul. It is much smaller than the passage tombs in the Boyne Valley but there are wonderful views of the other side of the hill at Bellewstown.
Autism and Sensory Friendly
1. Sensory Space Drogheda https://www.facebook.com/SensorySpace.ie/
Due to re-open soon this might be an ideal place to visit over the summer Holidays.
2. Dublin Zoo gives free entry to a carer visiting with a child with special needs https://www.dublinzoo.ie/
You do have to book in advance at the moment but there is plenty of space and fresh air.
3. The Arc cinema will be reopening soon and they run Autism friendly screenings from time to time http://drogheda.arccinema.ie/sensory.php
4. Adam and Friends is one of Ireland’s leading supplier for sensory and soft play areas. You can visit but pre-booking is essential http://adamandfriends.ie/
5. Aquariums can be a very therapeutic place for some children with autism. Sea Life in Bray will be reopening at the end of the month with limited tickets available each day https://www.visitsealife.com/bray/ They offer discounts for visitors with special needs and their carers.
From Us to You
Here is a little message from all the staff in Bunscoil Buachaillí for you boys.
How do you feel today?
Here is a little video all about feelings. Are you feeling happy, sad or angry?
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Stay Home Superheros
Department of Health clarifies 2km limit for Autistic Community.
https://asiam.ie/minister-for-health-clarifies-2km-limit-for-autistic-community/
AsIAm submitted a question to the Minister of Health in relation to Covid-19 restrictions for individuals on the spectrum and those with additional needs. We received a response today.
Here was our question:
“Many autistic people and their families are concerned about the legal enforcement of social distancing. Some individuals may not cope if unable to keep to a routine such as visiting a favourite place or driving. Some single parents are cocooning and a drive is the only way to get their autistic loved one out and about. Also some autistic people fear getting arrested or in trouble with the Gardai. Should autistic people and their families be worried and are these journeys deemed essential? “
The response was as follows:
“Many thanks for your email. We are aware that the current restrictions are difficult for everybody and often particularly for Adults and Children with disabilities who might need more frequent outdoor breaks and who might not always live in an environment that gives easy access to suitable outdoor space.
When these current, additional restrictions came into place, a point was included to say that people can leave their home – for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people.
This would also provide for those people with disabilities and/or their carers who might have additional needs in relation to access to outdoor breaks and time. The situations that you outline in relation to going for a drive would reasonably be included here as well.
If required, local service providers can provide a letter to parents/carers confirming that the person is a service user with special needs and would benefit from additional outdoor breaks for health reasons.
We know that Gardai will take a pragmatic approach in these situations.
I hope this is of some reassurance . I also want to take the opportunity to extend warmest thanks to organisations like yours who I know provide invaluable support and reassurance to many people in these unusual and challenging circumstances.”
AsIAm submitted a question to the Minister of Health in relation to Covid-19 restrictions for individuals on the spectrum and those with additional needs. We received a response today.
Here was our question:
“Many autistic people and their families are concerned about the legal enforcement of social distancing. Some individuals may not cope if unable to keep to a routine such as visiting a favourite place or driving. Some single parents are cocooning and a drive is the only way to get their autistic loved one out and about. Also some autistic people fear getting arrested or in trouble with the Gardai. Should autistic people and their families be worried and are these journeys deemed essential? “
The response was as follows:
“Many thanks for your email. We are aware that the current restrictions are difficult for everybody and often particularly for Adults and Children with disabilities who might need more frequent outdoor breaks and who might not always live in an environment that gives easy access to suitable outdoor space.
When these current, additional restrictions came into place, a point was included to say that people can leave their home – for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people.
This would also provide for those people with disabilities and/or their carers who might have additional needs in relation to access to outdoor breaks and time. The situations that you outline in relation to going for a drive would reasonably be included here as well.
If required, local service providers can provide a letter to parents/carers confirming that the person is a service user with special needs and would benefit from additional outdoor breaks for health reasons.
We know that Gardai will take a pragmatic approach in these situations.
I hope this is of some reassurance . I also want to take the opportunity to extend warmest thanks to organisations like yours who I know provide invaluable support and reassurance to many people in these unusual and challenging circumstances.”
Ready, Steady, Grow!
So here is a little challenge for us all to participate in. I think we are all spending more time in our gardens during these school closures so why not share these great learning experiences with each other?
As the old Chinese proverb says: life begins the day you start a garden. A garden, no matter how big or small, offers so much satisfaction, responsibility and hope for what is to come.
If you would like to participate in our gardening challenge all you have to do is take some photos of your gardening projects and send them to me. Don’t forget to get into the photos too so we can see your happy faces!
You might have built a vegetable garden with your family like this one:
As the old Chinese proverb says: life begins the day you start a garden. A garden, no matter how big or small, offers so much satisfaction, responsibility and hope for what is to come.
If you would like to participate in our gardening challenge all you have to do is take some photos of your gardening projects and send them to me. Don’t forget to get into the photos too so we can see your happy faces!
You might have built a vegetable garden with your family like this one:
Or maybe you planted some sweetcorn seeds in an old egg carton and left it on a windowsill like I did.
Whatever your gardening project is I’d love if you could share it with us so we can see and admire each other’s beautiful gardens. Don’t forget a good gardener has to water his plants regularly, make sure they get plenty of light and keep the weeds away!
Are you up for the Gliondar Mara gardening challenge? If so send me your pictures [email protected]om
Whatever your gardening project is I’d love if you could share it with us so we can see and admire each other’s beautiful gardens. Don’t forget a good gardener has to water his plants regularly, make sure they get plenty of light and keep the weeds away!
Are you up for the Gliondar Mara gardening challenge? If so send me your pictures [email protected]om
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness day and the month of April is Autism Awareness month. It is a time to promote awareness of autism, acceptance of autism and most importantly to celebrate people with autism and all the amazing things they can teach us every day.
This is a difficult time for everyone but in particular for people with autism whose whole world has changed. Their routines are gone, they may not be able to visit their favourite people or places and they may not understand what is going on. This year AsIAm is running a #flyforautism campaign. Here’s what you have to do:
AsIAm is also doing a survey for people with autism and their families to see how they can best help during this time. Check it out here if you can: https://asiam.ie/survey-asiam-help-covid-19/
- Text ASIAM to 50300 to donate €4 to AsIAm
- Build your own paper plane. It can be as fancy or as simple as you like.
- Post a video if its most impressive flight on your social media channels with the hashtag #FlyForAutism (or email to me and I'll share it here)
- Challenge 3 friends to donate and try to beat your plane
AsIAm is also doing a survey for people with autism and their families to see how they can best help during this time. Check it out here if you can: https://asiam.ie/survey-asiam-help-covid-19/
Covid-19 and School closures
This can be a very strange and worrying time for you boys. I'm sure you're wondering why you are not in school and I'm sure you're missing your friends. Here is a social story all about what is happening in Ireland at the moment https://asiam.ie/social-story-covid-19-lockdown/
Don't worry, we will hopefully be back in school together soon. In the meantime keep an eye on this blog where I will post the photos that your parents send to me and give some ideas of activities that you can do at home to help your learning. Remember, wash your hands, stay at home and stay safe.
Ms Kerr.
This can be a very strange and worrying time for you boys. I'm sure you're wondering why you are not in school and I'm sure you're missing your friends. Here is a social story all about what is happening in Ireland at the moment https://asiam.ie/social-story-covid-19-lockdown/
Don't worry, we will hopefully be back in school together soon. In the meantime keep an eye on this blog where I will post the photos that your parents send to me and give some ideas of activities that you can do at home to help your learning. Remember, wash your hands, stay at home and stay safe.
Ms Kerr.