WHILE she was pleased and satisfied with the court's decision, Ms Marie Ryan said she was sorry she had to go to the High Court to get what were "basically human rights".
She was pleased her input into her son's education had been acknowledged by the Minister for Education. She was also glad it had been acknowledged that the earlier education Conor received had an adverse affect on him.
Conor, who was now 15, only had about two and a half years of formal education. She had to provide the rest because the proper facilities were not available in this State for a person suffering from Aspergers Syndrome, she said.
"I have had to give him the rest of his education. This has meant turning my bedroom and kitchen into a school because there was no specialised experienced teachers for those with Aspergers Syndrome. These children are an isolated and forgotten group."
She believed conventional education could damage, and was not satisfactory, for such a child. There were very few teachers trained to deal with Aspergers Syndrome children.
Ms Ryan said she had to carry the burden over the years because of her love for her child. The State had not until yesterday acknowledged this. "Up until this, I have had to keep my head low and put up with the situation."
She hoped the court decision would highlight the inadequacy of the educational system for children with Aspergers Syndrome and convey to the public "that these people exist, but they are isolated and forgotten, a dispossessed people".