James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions. Many personal experiences have been expressed, as has a real understanding of what it means for people with autism and for any parent who is given a diagnosis of his or her child having a serious disability. The parent's feelings plummet. I doubt that any parent ever forgets the day the diagnosis is made and what he or she views as the child's bright future is taken away, as it were.

Fortunately, it does not always need to be that way. With early intervention, there can be a bright future for many children with autism, even those who may not have spoken until they were five years of age or may have been misdiagnosed as being intellectually disabled. They can make a real and valued contribution to society. In order to achieve this, though, their parents and families need support. As many Deputies have stated, society needs to come some of the way to meet the needs of people with special needs or disabilities. Not only is it the moral, ethical and right action to take, but it enriches society and brings forth the abilities that are often not seen.

I commend Deputy McCarthy on his initiative in introducing this Bill. I hope that many of those who believe that the future has been darkened for them by such a diagnosis will come to learn that it often brings some amazing abilities. With the right supports, those abilities can be allowed to shine through.

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