Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will take the first five minutes anyway. I thank our colleagues in the Regional Group for bringing forward this motion. It is great when we have the opportunity to discuss all the issues around autism. In 2019, as some people may be aware if they were in the House at that time, we brought forward a motion on an autism strategy that got unanimous support. It included the setting up of a committee, so there could be consultation with various relevant groups within the sector. That is very important and cannot be underestimated because when you start talking to people about their lived experiences and those of their families, in addition to the advocacy groups, you learn so much from that. So many parents have to battle. The point was well made that it is not just about children, but as Sinn Féin children's spokesperson I tend to focus my comments on areas affecting them.

We all know so many stories of people who have issues at the assessment stage. I accept and acknowledge, as I have previously, that there have been improvements in certain areas in the assessment process, but there are still issues around access to therapies when people get their assessments, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. It depends and every person is different. Some children might need all three therapies, some need one and some need more support than others. It is very important that we start addressing these issues and start putting the resources in place so that children can see an occupational therapist without a major delay.

We all know, and it is said time and again, about early intervention. I will briefly mention Dr. Niall Muldoon's report. The Minister of State was before the children's committee regarding that report. Dr. Muldoon drew into stark contrast the situation people with autism are living with. Sometimes people get through one battle, which is the diagnosis, but there is then a battle for therapies and then one about school and whether they can get a class. We need also need to talk a little about language. I do not think we should refer to autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units. People do not necessarily mean any harm by that, but they are ASD classes. Some advocacy groups state autism should be referred to as autism spectrum condition, ASC, not disorder. We need to start looking at the language we use to ensure it is correct. Once a child gets into school, potentially, is there school transport? There are just so many battles. I will also raise the issue of the lack of preschool places for anybody with an ASC condition. For example, in Kilkenny, there is one preschool and that is it. It is fantastic if a child can get into it, but what if he or she cannot? It makes a massive difference to somebody starting school if that child is in an ASC class or might have the resources of a special needs assistant.

I was supportive of the strategy when the Minister of State announced it. The consultation element was part of the reason I was so supportive of it because, in general, there is a serious lack of consultation in all Departments and in this Chamber. It is important we have that, but time is ticking. When I raised this issue in 2019 it had already been raised by several Deputies and parties and we had several motions. Here we are in 2021 and I heard the Minister of State talk about another year. Children cannot wait if they are starting school, are already in school or are coming to the end of primary school. I know a number of parents whose children are in primary school and who then start panicking about secondary school because the supports are even less there than in primary school, if parents even get supports there. There is also the situation of what the diagnosis states because it has to specifically state certain things in order to get supports. Parents panic about the junior certificate, the leaving certificate and what supports will be there for their children.

We need to stop all the chaos around this issue and start putting the resources into it. In fairness, the Minister of State is well intentioned. She always engages in these debates and with the committee, but we need to see the resources. I hope these debates are helpful because I know the autism strategy has not been fully transferred into the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth yet. Whoever is holding the purse strings needs to realise they need to invest and they need to ensure therapies, preschool places, classes and transport to school can be accessed.

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