Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism
Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)
Ms Julie Tonge:
Yes, in order that we can help those services understand what will happen to those students when they land in higher education or wherever, such that they can come in somewhat prepared. That would help because we would not be starting at base camp on the first day we meet the students. They would know what to expect and the questions we were going to ask them, and perhaps they would have prepared responses with their families and the other people who support them, so they would not have to think on their feet under pressure when we meet them. Much of the time we meet these students on their own, so they do not have their supporters with them. Of course, we allow their supporters to come in if the student wants that to happen, but for the most part, we meet the students alone, so it is helpful if they have practised these conversations before they happen at third level.
If I could comment on-----