DLD SSD Classes in St. Mary's
We have two Developmental Language Disorder, Speech Sound Disorder (DLD SSD) classes.
We have educated children with speech and language difficulties for almost thirty years. Our first SSLD (Specific Speech and Language Disorder) class was established in 1994 and the second in 2010). The Department of Education renamed these classes Developmental Language Disorder, Speech Sound Disorder (DLD SSD) in March 2025.
Our teachers understand the challenges faced by children with expressive or receptive language difficulties and speech difficulties. We have experienced teachers, supported by special needs assistants and a senior HSE speech therapist based in our school. HSE Speech Therapist Claire Burns works exclusively with the DLD SSD Classes.
Dear ColmJust wanted to send you a quick email to say thanks so much for everything. XXXXX really enjoyed the time he spent with you and he will miss everyone when he moves to his new school.The progress he has made is unbelievable. There was a time when we weren't sure if we would ever hear the sound of XXXXX's voice because he had so little speech. Now he is a little chatter box and we are all over the moon.The amount of help and support he was given during his two years was exceptional. We as parents can not express how grateful we are to all of the staff who worked with XXXXX. He went to school happy everyday and settled in so well.We hope you enjoy the holidays and have a lovely breakKind regards
XXXXX & XXXX XXXXXX
Parent Testimonial (unsolicited) received by email at year end
All who work in the DLD SSD special class setting are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment. Both classrooms are specifically organised to cater to the needs of pupils, with specialised learning materials and resources to support language acquisition, language development and communication skills.
Our teachers work closely with speech therapist Claire and the SNAs to ensure that each pupil receives the individualised attention and support they need to reach their full potential. We believe that every pupil deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their abilities or challenges.
Our speech and language classes are a safe and inclusive space where pupils can develop their communication skills, build their confidence, and reach their full potential.
St. Mary's DLD SSD Class Enrolment - Note for Parents - The Process
Stage 1
Children who are attending HSE speech and language therapists in the community may be recommended for enrolment to the DLD SSD classes in St. Mary's. It is a two year placement. Pupils follow the same curriculum as in mainstream classes. If a pupil was to enter St. Mary's in Junior Infants, on a full two year placement, they would complete Junior Infants and Senior Infants in St. Mary's and would return to their local school for First Class.
Stage 2
If parents wish for their child to be considered for enrolment and if their speech therapist is of the opinion that the child would benefit from attendance in the class, speech therapy reports with a diagnosis of DLD and/or SSD should be prepared. These professional reports will be submitted by the HSE to the annual DLD SSD Class intake meeting.
Stage 3
One intake meeting is held annually, normally in March or April. If your child meets Department of Education criteria, they may be accepted for the class. A number of factors determine enrolment in any given year, these include: the places available, the number of potential candidates for intake and severity of need (determined by a priority rating scale and assessment of all reports by the multidisciplinary committee).
More often than not our class is oversubscribed. Qualifying children who are not allocated places in any given year, due to a lack of available places, will be placed on a waiting list for that year's enrolment only. They may be offered a place should a place be declined.
Stage 4
Should your child be accepted for enrolment at our annual intake meeting, we will forward their enrolment application for a Special Class (NCSE Form 7 ) to the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). Ultimately all places are allocated at the discretion of the SENO, the school offers all places pending SENO approval.
Stage 4
You will be given an opportunity to visit our DLD SSD classes at an Open Day, normally held in May. You and your child can meet the principal, the class teachers and speech therapist Claire Burns.
We look forward to welcoming your child to our DLD SSD classes and we trust that they will benefit greatly from the expertise, knowledge and experience that we have garnered over the thirty years that St. Mary's has been involved in this specialist field of education.
Note on Transport
All qualifying pupils are entitled to free transport to and from the class. We currently have five transport routes in operation from north, south, east and west. Children are accompanied by a bus escort. St. Mary's employs the bus escorts, they assist the children and the driver. Transport is organised by the Department of Education and Bus Éireann and an application process is required after enrolment. The school will issue the NCSE Transport application forms.
More Testimonials from Parents June 2025
X has improved greatly from his two years. We couldn’t be more grateful at how amazing
this class has been for us all. He’s like a new child.
I can’t speak highly enough about the language class- X has absolutely loved his time at St
Mary’s. The support, encouragement, and opportunities he received have made these past
two years truly exceptional. He is a different child leaving St Mary’s – more confident,
capable and ready to move to his new school. The teachers and SLT have been brilliant and
the school environment and infrastructure are second to none. We are so grateful.
This programme has been fantastic for X’s confidence and speech. I only wish it was
available to more children.
I think this is a great service to families as I know X wouldn’t be where X is today without it I
really think X would have struggled in mainstream school. I would 100% recommend this
service. Thank you.
I found the support provided by teacher and SLT to be second to none – I always felt I could
ask anything at anytime. X adored her time in the language class and has thrived.
My fear used to be about my child going to school and not being fit to communicate. Now
my fear is I will never find a school that will put the time effort and love into each child. I
can’t than yous enough.
When I think back to where she was at the in terms of her language when we started in this
journey to where she is now – she has made such great progress with your support. And I
have learned so much with regard to how I can support X’s language development at home.
This is something we and X will deal with throughout her life. To have had this intervention,
support and education for all of us at this stage has been and will be invaluable. We thank
you from the bottom of our hearts.
This has been a great year for X. X has learnt so much from the class.
The teachers, the love and time they put in to the kids is unbelievable.
I just want to thank you for all you have done and will continue to do. There isn’t a thing I
would change about X’s start to his education.
X still needs help with blending some sounds together but his clarity has improved no end,
thank you.
X developed her confidence and ability to communicate over the last two years….All the
support she had was brilliant and thanks again for giving X the chance to recover her
difficulties with language.
The small groups helped X get more opportunities for focused attention and tailored
supports. The education for parents provided by teacher and SLT on how to assist X with her
needs and provision of regular instruction and updates on what X is working on in school
and (helped provide) the tools to augment this learning at home.
I found the support provided by teacher and SLT to be second to none – I always felt I could
ask anything at anytime. X adored her time in the language class and has thrived.
