Mum of SEN Student Claims Teenagers Are Reduced to 'Price Tags'

The transition from school to adult services for young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is being viewed merely as a "price tag," according to Alma White, the mother of an autistic teenager. White, accompanied by her son Caleb, addressed Stormont’s Education Committee, joining a group of mothers who urged MLAs to address the disjointed nature of post-school support in Northern Ireland.

During their presentation, the parents described the pathway for SEN students as "fractured" and lacking clarity. This testimony comes despite Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s previous assertion that there is insufficient time to amend legislation to provide statutory post-school support before the next assembly elections scheduled for May 2027.

Karen Ryan, whose 17-year-old daughter Emily has profound needs, also shared her concerns with lawmakers. Emily, who is non-verbal, tube-fed, and uses a wheelchair, attends Parkview Special School in Lisburn. Ryan highlighted the stark disparity in opportunities available to school leavers. "The opportunities available to neurotypical school leavers aged 18 are second to none in Northern Ireland," Ryan stated. "The opportunities to our SEN young people are none."

Alma and Caleb White have previously advocated for a structured plan to assist SEN students in accessing further education or training. During the hearing, Caleb read a poem to the MLAs that detailed the "daily battle" faced by young people in their situation. "Not because they lack a dream but because the world is not as fair as it seems," he recited.

Systemic Failures and Funding Concerns

Both mothers identified significant systemic issues, noting a lack of cohesive collaboration between health trusts and between the education and health departments when families face the challenges of their children leaving school. In England, young people with special educational needs are covered by an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) until age 25. However, no equivalent statutory plan exists in Northern Ireland.

White and other campaigning parents are pushing for a similar framework in Northern Ireland to create a statutory route into further education or training. When asked by Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan about the root of the issue, White suggested that support is heavily influenced by financial considerations.

"I speak to parents all the time, we feel like our children are a price tag," she said, describing the sentiment as "really difficult." She warned of the long-term financial implications of inaction: "I'm telling you now in three or four years you're going to triple that cost if you don't get a handle on this."

The IQ Threshold Barrier

A critical point raised by Ryan concerns the importance of IQ tests in determining eligibility for adult disability services. She explained that the distinction between a "disability" and a "difficulty" can be decisive for young people exiting the school system. In Northern Ireland, an IQ score above 70 can disqualify young people with SEN from accessing adult disability services.

A 2010 report by Autism NI, in collaboration with Ulster University, identified the IQ threshold of 70 as a significant barrier for many families. Ryan noted that young people with learning difficulties who hold a statement of SEN must undergo an IQ test to qualify for adult support. If their score exceeds 70, they are not classified as having a learning disability.

Ryan cited the case of an autistic teenager with challenging behaviors and significant social and emotional support needs. "Although he has a high IQ, he requires daily adult support to manage anxiety, regulate behaviour and remain safe," she explained. However, because his IQ assessment was just four points above the 70 threshold, he was not deemed to have a learning disability. Consequently, he falls into a "gap" where he is considered too capable for certain services but not independent enough to manage without substantial assistance.

Alma White shared her own struggle to prove that her son, Caleb, had a learning disability, despite him attending special school since the age of three with complex needs. She emphasized the emotional toll on families, stating, "I can't emphasize enough how awful the process is to not know what's coming next. It is incredibly anxiety-inducing for parents. This would not happen to grammar school pupils. It's a lack"

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-03 23:00:40 UTC