Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday some of us met four mothers from the Clondalkin Autism Parents Support Network, CAPS. They shared what can only be described as their harrowing struggles to get their children the support they need, such as diagnosis, educational supports, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Their view is that the State has failed them. Having listened to those stories it is very hard to disagree. What struck me is the feedback that when children receive a diagnosis, get a place in an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit and the wrap-around support that they need, they absolutely thrive. That is all these parents want. However, there is a fight to get a diagnosis, to get therapy and educational support, that constant fight causes stress and strain. How do we support rather than add to these family's pressures?

See this speech in context