Stepping Stones - ABA school for children with autism

  • About us
    • Our history
    • How to apply
  • News
  • What is autism?
    • Overview autism
    • Common misconceptions
  • What is ABA?
    • Overview ABA
    • The science of ABA
    • Teaching method
    • Modern advances
    • ABA in the home
  • Workshops
    • Workshop schedule
    • Workshop 1
    • Registration form
  • Gallery
  • Fundraising
    • Overview fundraising
  • Directory
  • Contact_Us

Our history

Stepping Stones school started in October 2001 in Newbridge College in a single classroom. At this time it was named Kildare ABA School. The purpose of the school was to provide a specific educational service to those children who had been diagnosed with autism, who were failing to grow and develop in their current educational environment. The educational approach adopted by the school was, and still is, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

Six students attended the school on a daily basis, while others were catered for by attending the school intermittently, and receiving home visits from the School Consultant. This number grew rapidly and the larger group was in need of a new setting. With the kind approval
of Kilcloon National School, the school was granted permission to use their premises during the summer of 2002. With the move the school was renamed Stepping Stones Meath ABA School.

Stepping Stones was originally established by the hard work and dedication of determined parents and enthusiastic tutors. When founded the School relied strongly on the generosity and goodwill of others but the main financial burden fell to the parents.

Through major struggle and the determination of the parents, Stepping Stones was recognised by the Department of Education and Science in February 2003, and funded, on project status, to support children and their families. This was a major breakthrough in the fight for children with autism to receive the right to a state funded education.

Due to the fact that the Department of Education and Science was now funding the school, the parents were able to concentrate on fund- raising to acquire a permanent home for Stepping Stones.

Following two temporary accommodations the school moved into its current location in February 2005 - a permanent site in Harristown, Kilcloon, Co. Meath. In January 2006 the Department of Education & Science increased the pupil numbers and there are now thirty children attending the school. Stepping Stones has been welcomed into the local community, and it is hoped that the school can expand on its current site, allowing more children to attend.


 
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