Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I am optimistic that children with autism can go to their local schools. One of the greatest problems facing us in the west is that there has been a long battle for services for autism usually involving child care services for young children and school transport to schools where the health board or the Brothers of Charity provide services. It is hard for families to provide education for children with autism. I agree with my colleagues that there is a need for educational psychologists. It is a matter of trying to provide one-to-one attention in a local setting if possible, which should be the case. However, much of the battle seems to concentrate on appropriate school transport for a young person. This refers to perhaps a direct taxi service rather than minibuses or school buses travelling long distances to bring a child to a special educational centre. This is often raised in my constituency. In a town like Ballinasloe, young children with a disability might receive services from the Galway County Association, the Brothers of Charity take over until the children are 18 years old and then parents are left to wonder how to get further training or employment for people with autism.

The link between autism and creativity is an interesting one. Senator Scanlon referred to people who give lectures or talks and say they suffer from autism. I read a review recently of a book entitled Autism and Creativity by Professor Michael Fitzgerald, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Trinity College. He explores the link between autism in men, among whom it is more common, and exceptional ability, and looks at the reality of the situation rather than the Hollywood version in movies such as "Rain Man" and "Forrest Gump." He claims that Asperger's syndrome, the high functioning autism, is very common among well-known historical figures including high achievers, Newton, Einstein, Darwin and Warhol. Such people may behave inappropriately in social settings and may be egocentric and hypersensitive but they are very capable of original ideas. They may lack common sense but they have above average intelligence.

This is the double-edged sword of autism, revealed by a deficit in social situations for which the compensation might be exceptional mechanical ability and a capacity for detailed observation. Many prominent philosophers, politicians and writers display classical features of autism which demonstrates the importance of understanding this problem. Professor Fitzgerald emphasises the need for autistic and non-autistic people to understand the condition for the autistic person to be fully included in society where everyone has strengths and weaknesses. This is particularly true of attempts made to provide a suitable environment for people with autism. I was invited to a farm in Claregalway, County Galway, which provided courses for people with autism. I think there is a similar farm near Kinnegad. I was most impressed with the commitment of those who provide the service. I urge the Minister of State to consider the extension of such schemes, as the programme in Claregalway appeared to be most useful.

Local authorities provide schemes, such as the disabled person's housing grant. It was stated in a report of the Disability Federation of Ireland that, in addition to that scheme, there should also be a scheme for chronically ill young people, those with significant disabilities which affect their housing needs. It especially recommended a three year programme to provide appropriate accommodation in the community. This issue should be examined, as the needs of people with disabilities tend not to be addressed by existing housing grant schemes. Disabled people are easily overlooked, especially at a time when many people are seeking to have their housing needs addressed. Local government housing policy can play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of people with disabilities in their own communities. People with disabilities should not be trapped in unsuitable and potentially dangerous housing situations because their needs are not addressed by existing schemes.

It is important that the issues of education and housing for people with autism are addressed. The Minister for Health and Children and the Ministers of State at the Department should be congratulated on the extra funding and services available in the Western Health Board region. It is important that this funding be increased. For too long we have exported the problem to other health board areas, especially to Dublin and the eastern region. Appropriate services should be provided by the Western Health Board. It is important that children have access to services in their own schools and home area. I hope this will be the approach taken by the Department, health boards and local authorities. People should not have to leave their home regions to access services for autism.