Website and Blog for the Sam McMahon Trust

It’s that time of year when we are all involved in making preparations for going back to school. Changing classes, meeting new friends and teachers and getting used to the challenges of a new year can take a couple of weeks to adjust to.

Last year Sam’s mum, along with the Special Education Support Service (SESS), put together guidelines for teaching students with FA. It would be a mistake to assume that your son/daughter’s teacher has seen them. You can print them off here. They will be of benefit to you and to all of those people in the school environment who come into contact with your child. In fact you should keep a copy for yourself. By helping people to understand, you will be helping your child and raising awareness about FA.

Over the past number of months Sam’s mum Caroline has been working with the Special Education Support Service (SESS). Their role is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in relation to special educational provision. The SESS works under the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Science.

Some time ago the SESS published ‘Signposts’, in order to outline how differing categories of special educational need can affect teaching and learning. It also offers tips for teaching, along with additional resources and references. It is a well organised and informative guide for all involved in education.  Until now there was nothing about Friedreich’s Ataxia but all that has changed. Thanks to the vision of the SESS and Caroline’s willingness to put together the necessary information.

Feel free to download the guide here. A copy will be made available to all of the primary and secondary schools in Ireland. With understanding there is no reason why children and young people with FA can’t succeed in school and it is hoped that this guide will help to broaden understanding and further raise awareness.