Advice on schools in Ireland for ASD male 16

[Thingsdogetbetter]

I'm in the UK and his parents are feeling overwhelmed and like they're banging their heads against the brick wall of his school's lack of support. My nephew is ASD level 1 and is find his large, seemingly oblivious to ASD private school in Dublin hell. He's social anxious, germ anxious (so covid is a double nightmare for him).

He's very clever, but has major Fear of Failure which the school is saying is just laziness and putting no support or strategies in place. He's interested in IT and Engineering for university, .

Any suggestions for suitable schools?

DCA warriors is a facebook page with lots of parents of children who have special needs in Ireland. Maybe they could join that group - you can ask the admins to post messages on your behalf - and ask for advice on suitable schools in his area.

What age is he?

Does he have an occupational therapist who could talk to the school about the issues he is having.

He's 16, no OT. SENCO (not sure what they're called in Ireland) seems to have no training in anything other than learning difficulties, which he does not have, and thinks all ASD students need full on sensory rooms.

I will suggest DCA Warriors. Thanks @SuperSleepyBaby I can see his school life being wasted/hell in the same way mine was (awaiting diagnosis at 52f). The school is trying to hammer him into a square hole rather than trying to fit around him.

My son is 12 and is linked in with the School Age Team in St Michael’s House In Glasnevin since he was diagnosed. I don’t know if the school age team deal with older children.

They have a multidisciplinary team - OT, physio and psychologist. They meet with the school and work with them to make things easier for my son. My son is level 2 autism but is doing very well in main stream thanks to the school age team.

He is managing well with his schoolwork and has made huge progress in managing his emotions and sensory issues. He is happy in school and learning well.
I think having an OT to speak for my son has really helped.

This book is worth having a look at too
www.bookdepository.com/Martian-Playground-Clare-Sainsbury/9781849200004