I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has provided information to schools in relation to the condition of Narcolepsy and to provide guidance to schools on the accommodations which can be made in schools to assist such children. I can also advise that a number of meetings have taken place between officials at my Department along with those from the Department of Health, with representatives from SOUND (Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder) to consider the educational supports which may be provided for such children and the criteria for accessing such supports, based on the assessed individual needs of children. The range of supports which may be provided for children who are suffering from serious medical conditions such as Narcolepsy, based on assessment, include:
- Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, for children who have a medical condition such that they require access to care support in order to be able to attend school;
- Home Tuition support which can provide a compensatory educational service to children who have had major disruption to their attendance at school due their medical condition;
- Schools may provide additional Learning Support/Resource Teaching assistance in school;
- Special arrangements for State Examinations.
The educational supports required in each instance are considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the children. Arrangements are made with the State Exam Commission each year, to address issues in relation to the reasonable accommodations which can be made for children with narcolepsy taking state exams each year, in conjuction with the children's schools.
