Dr. Frances O'Connell:

Yes we do but I do not have the figures with me. Generally we find they come in at level 7 and 8 rather than on higher certificate courses and level 6. It comes back to the fact that the points level through the CAO is not necessarily their issue. It is about supporting them to succeed once they are in. This can be one of the issues in the transition from second level to third level. It is about being used to the support of a needs assistant at second level and being on their own when walking into an institution. This is where our recommendations come in terms of occupational therapy support.

Once we become aware of students, we try to support them. Our lecturers can spot students who are on the spectrum of autism and neurodiversity even though they do not declare as autistic or having a disability. I have been a lecturer myself and lecturers spot them within the first couple of weeks. Then we try to support them. It is about monitoring the students and seeing what is happening in terms of their assessments, exams, learning supports and tuition supports. It is about the wraparound services that we try to provide. As the number increases, the capacity and the demand-supply model to do this will be difficult, particularly with the funding going the opposite way.