Mum of autistic child heartbroken after moves to stop special education classes after 'noise complaint'

The mother of a nine year-old boy with autism has spoken of her devastation when she learned that classes with a special education teacher that took place in the Enfield community hub and library building would no longer be accommodated after the end of October due to a noise complaint.

Ellen Rochford's son Finn is one of seven children who attend one-on-one sessions with Colleen Mannion in RPM (Rapid Prompting Method) which is essentially learning to communicate using a letter board for non-verbal or minimal speaking children with autism. The sessions take place in a small office in the community and enterprise hub on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings and each session lasts for 30-45 minutes.

Ellen, who lives in Trim, was extremely upset and angry when Finn's teacher Colleen told parents that her contract to rent the space would not be renewed after the end of October due to a noise complaint. This was further exacerbated when it was suggested to Colleen if she could look at holding the classes in the special school, located behind the building.

"It was just devastating for me. Our child is severely autistic, bringing him in to places is difficult sometimes but we refuse to hide him away. He is in a special school five days a week where he is happy, he attends there, but as a family for the last ten years me and my husband's goal has been to make his world as big as possible- going to restaurants, going to Supermacs, going to libraries. We are up against it a lot of the time, indirectly, as in looks, stares, all that. We overcome that because we celebrate our child and we don't try to tone him down. "

However, Ellen said she got a sense of tone him down when they went to the building.

Expressing her views forcefully, she said: "To me the first thing that came into my mind was segregation- don't let them in here, move them out, move them into the special schools. Like years ago, lock them away, We are throwing around the words autism friendly town, but it is our actions that determine how good a town or place is."

Ellen told how Finn was doing really well with weekly sessions and that they are always trying different things with Finn but is is rare that they see something as successful as RPM is for him.

"We were very happy. The set up was we go through the main door of the library, at this point you're hoping Finn is very quiet because you are going through a library. As parents you are mindful that he is quiet. We go through the main library and we go through three more doors to get to an office at the back and that is where the tuition takes place."

After posting a video on her instagram page 'Finnfirstautismsecond', about what happened Ellen was blown away by the reaction and received many other messages from parents.

"Kids needs to be out in their community, they deserve to be out in their community. This is a public building," she said, adding that it was ironic that they were trying to teach their child to read yet felt he wasn't welcome in the library.

Colleen, the teacher giving the classes told how she had been holding sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays since the end of May for seven children altogether. She said everything was going fine until recently when a staff member said to be mindful of the noise. Feeling something wasn't quite right, after the session, she asked the staff member was there a complaint and was told there was for both sessions but they couldn't tell her at what time.

Colleen decided to write a letter explaining what they were doing and included her contact number and email so that people could contact her if there was an issue. "I was trying to be a good neighbour, I left letters so people could get hold of me if they were having problems and I would help fix it."

Then on Wednesday she was told that she would be finishing at the end of the October and would not be given the opportunity to renew her contract. Colleen said she records every session and they weren't being noisy. It was claimed the children were hitting walls and kicking and she said that was not happening. During the conversation, Colleen outlined that it was suggested could they not go to the special school next door which Colleen felt was like "putting gas on the fire".

She went on to say that there were at least 10 kids laughing and having a great time in book club and they were making far more noise that the little children she was teaching.

"I said because you don't want us here we will leave, but we are not leaving quietly, what you are doing is wrong." Although entitled to stay until the end of October, Colleen said they would not come back where they are not wanted.

Colleen gives classes in nine counties and has two other people working with her and said has never had this type of issue before.

"We use a lot of enterprise centres. I have never had any issues in any of them. Most are so accommodating and lovely never have we been treated like this.

"Yes we make a little bit of noise, but only what a typical person would make having a conversation, these guys are just trying to get their voice," adding that what was suggested seemed like "segregation and not inclusion".

Meanwhile Enfield Autism Friendly Town posted the following messages on its Instagram page:

"Enfield AFT is aware of the upset caused by a recent interaction between members of our community and Enfield Library. Our committee has been in contact with both parties and is making every effort to ensure a positive outcome is brought about where inclusion and accessibility are prioritised moving forward. Anyone who is directly affected by this issue can also make contact with AsIAm should you wish to discuss your own rights in relation to accessibility."

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said "Meath County Council is aware of the complaint and is currently investigating it".