Ms Carmel Ryan:

It has meant that we have got to know Fiacre in a different way. We have always known Fiacre as being non-verbal and having limited communication. Since he started to communicate on the alphabet boards and the keyboard, we have come to know his personality; thoughts; ideas; his opinions - good and bad; what he thinks of the world around him and other people; and his likes and dislikes. We have got to know him more as a person as opposed to a person with autism. We have come to know his personality much better. Regarding things we assumed about Fiacre, for example, that he liked this or that, he has let us know that this was not the case. Regarding things we thought did not really affect, bother or interest him, he is now able to let us know that those things did affect, upset, excite or interest him. We have got to know him more as a person as opposed to a person with special needs.