Professional and Educational Services

Many families, whose child has been diagnosed with a learning need, genetic condition or disability find that it’s hard to locate services and supports for their particular need.   We aim help fill that gap by highlighting services and supports that are available locally. We are doing our best to be comprehensive, however we know that, as this is the first time to put this together,  there will be gaps in the information.  If you know of other services or voluntary organisations that might fill a particular need please email us: [email protected]

• We have a list of local speech & language therapists, other therapists and providers of special education services.

There are many voluntary organisations that provide information and support to families.

•  ADD Mid West Support Committee – Attention Deficit Disorder Committee
• Dochas Mid West – an advise and information service for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Limerick Dyspraxia/DCD Group – support and services to all affected by Dyspraxia /DCD
• Disability Info – fantastic source of information by parents for parents covering all services in the mid west region
• Down Syndrome Limerick

• www.loffa.ie a website of the Laois Offaly families for Autism – provides support and an information service for families with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Irish Wheelchair Association has an office in Portlaoise and offers information and advice.
• The Special Needs Parents Association provides information and support.
• The National Council for Special Education is a statutory body designed to sanction the provision of Special Needs Assistants in schools.
• www.irishdeafkids.ie is an on-line resource that is offering  a new teen life-skills workshop on exam study skills and labeling life goals in Portlaoise (May 14th, 2011)
• The National Council for the Blind in Ireland (www.ncbi.ie)  provides information and support services for the blind.

Psychologists (The Psychological Society of Ireland), Occupational Therapists (Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland) and Speech Therapists ( Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists ) can be located through their respective associations.

Sports and Recreational Activities

Limerick Dyspraxia/DCD group have have sports groups and social groups running throughout the year for children.

Dochas runs social groups and once a month runs a senory cinema in the Omniplex. This is where the volume is monitored and the cinema isn-t in complete darkness. Contact Dochas for more information.

Limerick City Sport Partnership‘s Disability Sports Officer who can point you in the right direction of Sporting Activities available in Limerick City

Limerick County Sport Partnership’s Disability Sports Officer can advise of Sporting Activities available in Limerick County

Resources

This on-line company supplies books especially written for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Down’s Syndrome.

Other useful links

Department of Education & Skills – www.education.ie