Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, The Irish Times printed an essay, I Wish, I Wish, I Wish, which a little nine-year-old girl called Rachel from Meath wrote about her brother, Matthew. She said she wished her brother could be healed of autism. April is autism awareness month and I am speaking in the House today to celebrate uniqueness while also raising awareness of the challenges faced by those with the condition. Little Rachel explained that when Matthew was two years of age he was diagnosed with autism, that autism has no cure and that some children with autism can talk, understand and communicate, although Matthew cannot.

The families facing the challenges that come with autism can and must be helped. It is unacceptable to have what is almost a two-year waiting list for the assessment and diagnosis of autistic children. One of my constituents contacted me recently in a distressed state because she was told that since the waiting list was so long she would be sent monthly e-mails about occupational therapy in the meantime. The sending of e-mails instead of therapy provision is simply not good enough.

The National Educational Welfare Board has stated that it is overstrained but so too are these families. Without early diagnosis parents cannot be assured that their child will be able to access appropriate resource hours or special needs support. This results in children being enrolled in schools for September without adequate support. Every parent should look forward to their child's first day in school, whether in preschool or primary school, but this is not the case for parents of children with autism.

With autism, early diagnosis is essential. Autism is a broad spectrum condition and deserves specific attention. This specific attention should start with a standardised approach to early intervention throughout the country. It is time that we considered the variety of teaching and learning methods being employed for children with autism. At the moment the level of intervention can vary from county to county. I support the wider adoption of applied behaviour analysis, ABA, and picture exchange communication system, PECS, treatments, which have proven to be beneficial for certain children with autism. Little Rachel, whose essay appeared in The Irish Times, specifically referred to PECS and how Matthew's teacher has managed to help him communicate through pictures. With improved and standardised early intervention and training we could provide these children with better opportunities in life and save the State money in the long run.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal featured an article on Patrick Brophy illustrating how autism can be turned into a positive. Patrick, who is from the Dún Laoghaire constituency, was hired by the software firm SAP not only because of his qualifications but also because of his autism. The company values people with autism because of their attention to detail and the different perspectives they can bring to work. I congratulate Patrick on his wonderful achievement; he has broken down barriers. Too often, parents can be made to feel that their child's condition is a burden that places a strain on the State. The Autism Bill 2012 prepared the ground for an autism strategy and was a welcome and positive development. I urge for the process to include widespread consultation, especially with the parents of children with autism.

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