Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 June 2003

Autism Services: Statements.

 

10:30 am

Photo of Geraldine FeeneyGeraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Like other speakers, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley. In doing so, I also commend Senator Ross for his persistence in seeking this debate, which is very worthwhile and possibly one of the most interesting we have had for some time. I am a mother of four, perfectly normal, beautiful children. Some 18 years ago, when my eldest child started attending national school, to my shame I had never heard about autism and did not know what it meant. I was a young mother in my 20s with four children under five and was too busy learning about Sudo Creme and nappy rash. It was not until one little boy in my son's class left after a year that I learned something about autism. When I asked his mother the reason, she told me her child was autistic. She said autism was a child development problem, a social communication disorder. It took me months to take this in but the child had left the national school to attend a special needs school. My view was that autism was a very severe, lonely and isolating disorder. More often than not, however, it is accompanied by a physical or learning disability. It marks the beginning of a long and difficult road for children as regards their future education.

We are all now familiar with that look one gets from a autistic child. They look perfectly normal, just like other children on the road or in the playground, but they do not speak when it is their turn to do so and cannot interpret the tone of somebody's voice to understand whether it is an order to do something or a caring phrase. More often, possibly always, autistic children are locked into a world of their own. As with the look of an autistic child, we are all familiar with their behaviour, including hand clapping and swinging around.

What happens to these children? I am glad to say an awful lot more is happening for them now than when I first encountered the condition of autism. In the last 20 years major advances have been made in this area. With a recognition of autism we also see support systems in place. Having listened to Senator Ross, I can see that what is happening in the North Western Health Board area is not replicated in every other region. The North Western Health Board covers counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. When I was researching this subject, I was told about the wonderful service people are receiving in County Donegal, which is second to none. It is unique because I have heard nobody else mention this in today's debate. It recognises the need for support and resources at pre-school age. A child must be diagnosed between two and two and a half years of age. The health board is doing so and providing support in people's homes in the form of applied behavioural therapy.

My fellow Senators will be pleased to hear that 75 children are receiving such support. The impact of this one-to-one therapy by trained professionals is immense. These professionals come from a social therapy background or specialised nurses' training in learning disabilities. The one-to-one therapy has been hugely significant as well as rewarding for the autistic child and his or her family. Those receiving this treatment in County Donegal are classifying it as best practice and best service. How lovely it would be to see it being continued in the rest of the State.

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