Love Actually Charity

Love Actually Charity Love Actually Charity (CHY 22213) empowers SEN children via inclusive education & community.

Striving for equal opportunity, we provide online/offline classes, camps, family events, workshops & parent support.

📧: [email protected]

02/06/2026

A Complete Guide to the Special Needs Assessment Process in Ireland: What to Expect?

After more than a year of waiting, the comprehensive assessment by the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) for children suspected of having special needs has finally arrived. Today, we are taking you through a first-person perspective to explore exactly what parents will go through during this process in Ireland 🇮🇪

The assessment process consists of three core steps. Step 1 is meeting the Assessment Team which includes a Clinical Psychologist (CP) who assesses the child’s cognitive, emotional, and developmental needs and is qualified to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) who focuses on speech expression, language comprehension, social communication, and interaction skills; an Occupational Therapist (OT) who tests daily living skills like eating and dressing, sensory processing, and motor coordination; an Educational Psychologist (EP) if educational issues are involved to assess learning and behavioral needs for school support; and a Psychiatrist if mental health diagnosis or medication management is required. 👨‍⚕️

Step 2 involves utilizing standardized assessment tools over several weeks, where the team uses official tools and interviews to gather information, such as ADOS which involves structured interaction with the child to observe communication and social behaviors, and ADI-R which is a detailed 2 to 3-hour interview with parents to thoroughly review the child’s developmental history from birth to the present, while compiling complete medical records and behavioral reports.

Step 3 is establishing the diagnostic basis, where once all assessments are complete, the team will issue the final diagnostic results strictly based on the official criteria of the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). In our next video, we will discuss how to interpret the diagnostic report, so please stay tuned! Brought to you by Jing, host at Love Actually Charity (LAC).

🏃‍♂️✨ Our Inclusive Sports Day on May 24 was filled with movement, creativity, and connection.Children and families expl...
29/05/2026

🏃‍♂️✨ Our Inclusive Sports Day on May 24 was filled with movement, creativity, and connection.

Children and families explored Tai Chi, Kungfu, adapted cricket, sensory play, and art activities in a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone could participate at their own pace.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful partners — Fatima Groups United, Cricket Leinster, and Asian & Irish Community Connect— for making this event possible.

💛 Supported by Community Foundation Ireland

26/05/2026

Basic Terminological Framework for the Autism Spectrum

🤲When noticing a two-year-old child having speech delays or limited eye contact, parents often inevitably feel anxious and overwhelmed. Today, we provide a clear, first-person guide for families navigating the initial healthcare steps in Ireland.

First, regarding mindset, the Irish healthcare system has now adopted the "Neurodiversity" framework. This perspective recognizes the diverse variations in human brain development, moving away from labels like "normal vs abnormal" or "illness" when defining Neurodivergent individuals, including those on the Autism spectrum, or with ADHD and dyslexia.

Second, regarding action, parents can obtain a formal referral through three primary care channels: securing a referral letter from a General Practitioner (GP)👨‍⚕️, tracking developmental milestones and getting assessment recommendations through a Public Health Nurse (PHN)👩‍⚕️, or consulting a Community Medical Doctor (CMD).

Finally, once the referral is secured, the child will enter the official special needs assessment process conducted by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Although the waiting list for this stage can be quite long, parents can rest assured that professional guidance will be provided every step of the way.🤗

Parliamentary Confirmation: Approval for Special Education Classes for the 2026/27 School Year Significantly AdvancedIn ...
23/05/2026

Parliamentary Confirmation: Approval for Special Education Classes for the 2026/27 School Year Significantly Advanced

In a recent parliamentary debate, the Minister of State for Special Education, Michael Moynihan, confirmed that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has approved 504 brand-new special classes for the upcoming school year. Compared to previous years, this year's approval process was brought forward by several full months, allowing schools and parents ample time for preparation and recruitment.

🔗:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-19/503/ -answers-503

21/05/2026

First Asian Community Conference in Ireland 🤓

Support Us at the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon!The official schedule for our 11th Love Actually Charity Marathon project is...
19/05/2026

Support Us at the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon!

The official schedule for our 11th Love Actually Charity Marathon project is finally out! This year, our team is participating in the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon, running together to raise funds for children with special educational needs. It's going to be so meaningful! 🧸

Not only are we supporting a great cause, but we are also bringing maximum fun to the race! Last year we cosplayed as Nezha, and this year our official team outfit is the Bubble Skirt! 👗✨ I can’t wait to see everyone's looks! Come join our team or spot us on the track to cheer us on!

👇 Our Team Schedule on the Day:
📅 Date: Sunday, May 31st (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

10:00 AM | Gathering & Sign-in 📍 Wesley House
10:15 AM | Cosplay Time! Rocking the Love Bubble Skirt and saying no to ordinary! 💃
10:30 AM | Pre-run Warm-up & Stretch (Safety first to prevent injuries!) 🧘‍♀️
11:00 AM | Say Cheese! Our 11th Marathon Group Photo 📸
11:30 AM | Heading to the Starting Zone & diving into the electric Vhi Marathon atmosphere! 🔥

🔗 How to Support Us:
Scan the QR code on the poster to join our running squad! If you can't make it to the race in person, you can still support us by scanning the code to donate online. Let’s send some warmth to these wonderful kids together! 💕

18/05/2026

ASD Assessment Guide in Ireland: Public AON vs Private Route

🌟 The Public Route (AON - Assessment of Need): This option is entirely free, comprehensive (covering speech, motor skills, etc.), and legally protected. To apply, simply download the application form from the HSE website and mail it to your local Assessment Officer, or request your GP to submit it for you. However, the major downside is the severe lack of resources, with waiting lists typically taking 1 to 2 years, or even over 2 years. Parents are highly advised to submit this application immediately to secure a spot in the queue.

🌟 The Private Assessment Route: While this route offers a much faster turnaround time (usually a 3 to 6-month wait), it is expensive, generally ranging from €1,000 to €4,000. When choosing a private clinic, you must verify that the team holds "Chartered Membership" with the Psychological Society of Ireland and operates as a Multidisciplinary Team including Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists , and Occupational Therapists . Crucially, ensure their report is fully HSE-compliant; otherwise, it cannot be used to apply for vital school SNAs or Domiciliary Care Allowance. If your budget allows and school placement is approaching, running both public and private routes in parallel is the smartest strategy.

15/05/2026

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: Elevating Disability Support to a Top National Priority

Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered a landmark speech at the Strategic Focus Network Summit, committing to a "qualitative leap" in disability services and supports in Ireland.

👇Key highlights from the Taoiseach’s address include:

1️⃣ Reaffirming the historic investments in Budget 2026, including €1.15 billion for social protection, €3.8 billion for disability services, and €3 billion for special education.

2️⃣ Moving beyond temporary fixes, the Government is committed to establishing permanent measures to address the "Cost of Disability" through a "whole-of-government" approach.

3️⃣ A core strategy involves the increased investment in health, education, and transport, ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to essential public services.

4️⃣ The Taoiseach personally chairs the Cabinet Committee on Disability. A briefing document from this Summit will be reviewed by the National Delivery and Monitoring Committee in July to inform future budgets.

5️⃣ Significant increases in earnings disregards have been implemented to support the transition from Disability Allowance to employment.

We look forward to seeing the Taoiseach’s commitments transform into real-world progress for thousands of citizens! 💪

🔗 Read the Taoiseach's full speech here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/speeches/speech-by-taoiseach-miche%C3%A1l-martin-at-the-strategic-focus-network-summit-on-the-cost-of-disability/

Sometimes, what we see is a child covering their ears, suddenly crying, shutting down in a crowded place, or having what...
13/05/2026

Sometimes, what we see is a child covering their ears, suddenly crying, shutting down in a crowded place, or having what looks like a “meltdown,” and adults may quickly assume the child is simply being difficult. 😽

But for many SEN children🥸, the world can feel overwhelmingly loud and exhausting every single day. Bright supermarket lights, overlapping noises, uncomfortable clothing textures, unexpected changes, or even a slightly harsh tone of voice can become too much for their brains to process. Often, they are not trying to misbehave or create problems -they have simply been trying very hard to cope for a long time. The environments most people consider normal may already feel overwhelming to them. What truly deserves understanding is not just the behavior we see, but the feelings and struggles hidden behind it. Every child is doing their best to grow and adapt in their own way, and perhaps what they need most from the world is a little more patience, kindness, and understanding.🌼

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