A local mother is hopeful her son will be given a place in a new special education class in Athlone.
On Wednesday evening Longford/Westmeath ETB announced plans for the opening of six additional places at Athlone Community College.
Michelle Lynch was previously told her 12 year old son Gareth would have to travel to Glenamaddy for a place but she's now hopeful he can be accommodated locally.
Despite the opening of the new class five children in the area are still without a space and local support group Athlone Autism parents are organising a protest gathering at St. Peter's Church at 2pm on Saturday.
Michelle says better supports for children with Austism are needed.
''We need every child in Athlone. If Gareth does get to this place, six kids are in this unit for the next five years. We need another autism unit for kids that are in fifth class going forward. We have to do the same thing next year fight for more classes for the next generation of kids coming up. We're just doing the peaceful walk through the town just to raise awareness of the lack of ASD classes in Athlone and services that are needed for our children.''
