Ms Miriam Kenny:

When my two and a half-year-old was diagnosed, I was told to put my precious only child in a taxi, while every other child was attending the local Montessori school or whatever. One of our parent members stated that with regard to early intervention, they had applied to 17 early intervention school classes within Dublin. They had to send 17 sets of forms and 17 copies of the child’s diagnosis, and 16 rejections were received. They said it should not be so difficult to access the supports the child so badly needs, which he is entitled to, and that there is no one to assist or advise except for other parents who have been through the same processes.

There should be an awareness that international reports show the long-term cost to autistic people in adulthood and the cost to the State. We are not investing in or supporting these children and their families at an early stage, and our children are going to be much older and are going to be adults for a lot longer than they are going to be children. This is the opportunity to address the issues.