Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Ciara Reilly

Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · Sep 24

Thanks @primedteacher.bsky.social for writing this passionate piece for us today

Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · Sep 24

“The paracetamol theory is only the latest chapter in a long history of misogyny and blame dressed up as science. Before this it was vaccines. Before that it was the poisonous 'refrigerator mother' theory”

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Ciara Reilly: My autistic child is not a political pawn

This paracetamol theory is only the latest chapter in a long history of misogyny and blame dressed up as science. Before this it was vaccines. Before that it was the poisonous 'refrigerator mother' th...

www.irishexaminer.com

3 6

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 11

On Instagram. And yes, with the former Junior Minister for Special Ed.

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 11

The irony.

1 2

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 11

Her post was personally devastating to me, and countless others. I'm fortunate to have a loyal community who care deeply about education and disability matters.

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 11

I am always careful with my words and deliberately phrased my comment to be as respectful as I could.
We must be able to respond to our politicians and their actions. This isn't a totalitarian state. I am glad I said what I did. I stand over it completely.

2 1 3

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 11

I’m deeply disappointed to see that my comment, along with all others on Norma Foley’s post, has been removed. For context, here it is again.

3 8 17

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

Ain't that the truth. That named individual from the Primetime Investigates special is still issuing reports, and still targeting schools and families.

1 1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

Btw - I hope our schools (and Union) are ready for this. Mark my words. As "needs" assessments start to replace AON, our teachers will be involved in a formal way. This is the logic behind the educational element of AON now. It's a slow drip. I know it. #edchatie

1 4

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

I didn't even lay into the stage of Kilkenny hurling yet! I may stay. Three red cards!

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

Our private assessment is far superior. Our AON didn't have the type of full diagnostic testing you might expect. You'd get Wechsler, Bayley, ABAS-III, Achenbach (parents/childminder completed) and ADI-R and ADOS etc in the past. Not now.

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

In case I disappear again - I'm here on the other place. I give out less there. www.instagram.com/ciarareillyt...

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

We waited over two years for it, and are now 16 months waiting on the service statement that should immediately follow it. I fully expect us to pass a 4 year wait, all in.

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

On occasion, I miss the rage of d'other place. That tail!

1 2

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

So yeah. This platform. Did it take off? Worth hanging around?

I mean, I need a platform that isn't just my Instagram to share my usual stream of frustration with this government *and* to state the obvious - yes, Ana the Jack Russell was absolutely robbed at Crufts. Robbed.

1 9

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

Didn't use this platform in months and straight in, I'm giving out.

a woman is peeking out from behind a tree and says `` miss me yet '' .

ALT: a woman is peeking out from behind a tree and says `` miss me yet '' .

media.tenor.com

4

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

The days of the AON are numbered, the only way they'll ever get through that 14,000 waiting list is by eliminating it. This is already happening with the autism protocol. They're only delighted that so many of us have gone private for our assessments! This is the model! Their choice! Privatisation.

1 4

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

I fully expect that my daughter will get no serviced therapies from the State in the five years of this government. We have eliminated all expectation of this, regardless of how challenging she finds day to day life. Her childhood is lost to the system now. That's going to be it.

1 3

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

It’s difficult to fully convey the depth of neglect and isolation felt by those of us with children who have high care needs. The loneliness is overwhelming. There is no State help. We completed our AON in November '23. It's March '25 and we have NO service statement. You're all alone in this.

2 1 7

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Mar 9

I understand that politicians need to share their media appearances, but I was shocked that Minister Norma Foley seemed so pleased after that harrowing hour of radio yesterday. That brave mother shared nothing but isolation and despair, yet after it, the Minister posts about her delight.

A screenshot of an X message from disabilities minister Norma Foley after a media appearance on RTÉ Radio 1. She is sitting at a table and smiling.

A screenshot of a comment I added to her Instagram post to share my concern with her.

2 3 13

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

I love Áine Lawlor. 😂 #GE24

6 20 110

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

Spoiler: It is a roadmap that leads to...nowhere.

1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

Apologies - Progressing Disability Services.

1 1

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

This. People need to understand that no single political party can solve this issue, nor could even the most capable Minister. The real problem lies with the permanent officials in the Department and the HSE. Until their behaviour and inaction is addressed, no meaningful change will happen. #GE24

Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.bsky.social · Dec 1

I think there is an under-discussed issue here that the relevant departments are run by very powerful civil servants who will continually frustrate any minister who naively believes that simply being elected gives them the right to determine policy

It's not real democracy at all

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

It's worth noting that not only has the Disabilities Minister lost her seat, but the Health Minister is also likely to lose his. Meanwhile, the Minister for Special Education is fighting to hold onto the final seat. The tripartite of political aid that disabled Irish children need. Telling. #GE24

5 14

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

It's worth noting that not only has the Disabilities Minister lost her seat, but the Health Minister is also likely to lose his. Meanwhile, the Minister for Special Education is fighting to hold onto the final seat. The tripartite of political aid that disabled Irish children need. Telling. #GE24

1 13 31

Ciara Reilly @primedteacher.bsky.social · Dec 1

Now that Minister Anne Rabbitte has lost her seat, she should do a public exit interview. As a final act of service, she should outline just how many blockages there are in the PDS system and how it is almost impossible, politically, to change anything in disability services as it stands. #GE24

1 3 10