The Haven
Our first Special Class, known as “The Haven,” was established in 2022. In 2025, we opened our second Special Class and we are proud to now have two ASD classes within Our Lady of Lourdes School. These bright, spacious and welcoming classrooms provide a supportive learning environment for students who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The classes are designed to support students’ individual learning needs while also promoting inclusion within the wider school community.
Autism is a lifelong developmental difference that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others and how they experience and understand the world around them.
Autism is part of the broader neurodiversity family, which includes conditions and differences such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Epilepsy, Tourette’s Syndrome and Dyscalculia. People who have these differences are described as neurodivergent, meaning that their way of thinking and processing the world may differ from what is typically expected in society. Individuals who do not have these differences are described as neurotypical. These different ways of thinking, processing and understanding the world are often referred to as neurotypes.
Autism exists on a spectrum, meaning it affects individuals in different ways and to varying degrees depending on the person, the situation and the environment. Differences typically present in the following areas:
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Repetitive or restrictive patterns of behaviour
- Sensory processing
While thinking differently from the majority can present certain challenges, it is not inherently negative. Many strengths are associated with autism, including strong attention to detail, honesty, and the ability to develop deep knowledge in areas of interest. Autistic individuals can excel in areas they are passionate about, and autism does not limit a person’s potential or future.
It is estimated that approximately 3.3% of the Irish population are autistic.
In the Haven, the students are offered a wide variety of classes in a small and intimate setting. Here they learn to develop social and personal skills that will prepare them for life after secondary school. They also practise organisational skills and strategies to enable the students to cope with everyday life. As well as personal tuition in a small class setting, students attend mainstream classes as much as possible. Each student has an individualised plan which are varied to meet the needs of the student. We encourage and facilitate close links with families to ensure students reach their full potential. All students in The Haven have full access to an SNA at all times throughout the school day. We have a number of staff members with a background in learning support and many different subject backgrounds involved with the class on a daily basis.
The Den is our sensory space, which is used to reduce sensory overload for students who may find the school day overwhelming and enable them to achieve a calmer mind for learning. In this space, we can incorporate mindfulness activities to support students and to benefit their learning and wellbeing.