A new strategy unveiled by the Government on Monday aims to implement “clear and simple actions” to improve the lives of people with autism.
As part of the Government’s Autism Innovation Strategy, 83 actions falling under four pillars – autism-affirming society; equality of access to public services; accessible, inclusive communities; and building capacity – will be implemented over an 18-month period to make a difference to day-to-day life for those with autism.
Many of the actions centre around improving accessibility, knowledge, and awareness around the needs of autistic people in schools, the workplace, other public spaces, and within the healthcare service. The strategy also sets out plans for the accurate collection of data on austism through surveys, and as well as other research projects.
Included in the actions is a commitment to allocate “resources” to continuing “the development of early intervention and assessment services” to enable autistic children, adolescents and adults to access appropriate healthcare services.
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At present, access to autism assessments are dogged by lengthy waiting lists, an issue that has recently been highlighted by 13-year-old autism campaigner Cara Darmody. Some children wait years for an assessment, despite the fact that under the Disability Act, these assessments should be carried out within six months of a child being put on a waiting list.
At a press conference to launch the strategy on Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he had met Cara earlier in the day. “We were able to share with Cara figures that show in the month of June alone, 379 more children had benefited from assessments of need as a direct result of Cara’s campaigning and Minister [Anne] Rabbitte’s work.”
Mr Harris also said that within the health sector, there is a view that aren’t enough people working within services required by autistic people. “That’s why we’ve taken a decision to increase by 33 per cent the number of training places in Irish universities from next month in terms of training people to work in areas like speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and other areas as well,” he said.
The Taoiseach was joined by Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman and Ms Rabbitte, the Minister of State for Disability, at the launch of the strategy.
The strategy was developed in collaboration with autistic people, their parents, professionals and organisations advocating for autistic people, in conjunction with several Government departments and agencies. This process included various consultation mechanisms – in February, a draft of the strategy received over 370 feedback submissions.
Amanda McGuinness, a mother of three autistic boys from Balla in Co Mayo, said that the strategy would give families of autistic people hope, but stressed that the aims of the strategy must be underpinned by legislation to truly have an impact. She said that she hoped the strategy would change attitudes and language toward autistic people, and give proper supports to those seeking to help autistic people within the healthcare sector.
“We need to make sure that this change is not just a policy that goes up on a shelf, that it’s something that is put into action, that there is legislation backing it up,” she said. Ms McGuinness, who herself is autistic, is an ambassador for AsIAm, an autism advocacy group founded by Adam Harris, the Taoiseach’s brother.
“Ireland is a great country. We shouldn’t have families outside Government buildings hoping and praying for a school place,” Ms McGuinness added. “It shouldn’t be that parents are doubted when they say ‘my child is autistic’ – and not because the medical professionals or the therapeutic professionals aren’t excellent, because they just don’t have the training.”
Ms Rabbitte first announced the Government’s commitment to developing a national strategy to improve the lives of people with autism in 2021. The Government previously committed to taking action on autism issues in its programme for Government.
In a statement, the Taoiseach said that publication of the strategy “represents the realisation of a clear commitment to action on autism in our Programme for Government”.
“This commitment was made recognising the fact that autistic people in our society face a variety of challenges, and that there are gaps which we need to address in existing services and supports, along with misconceptions and gaps in terms of understanding autism.
“But the strategy also recognises that the perspective, talents, and contributions of autistic people across society add immeasurably to the quality, the richness and the diversity of Irish life,” Mr Harris said.
On the publication of the strategy, Mr O’Gorman said that it would “provide a strong framework for creating tangible improvements in the lives of autistic people throughout the country.
“It is an important step in addressing the barriers which often prevent autistic people from participating in their communities to the extent they can, and should be able to.”
Ms Rabbitte said that the aim of the strategy was to “provide building blocs for a more inclusive society, where autistic people are accepted and understood and have equity of opportunity to participate in cultural, social and economic life and lead meaningful and fulfilled lives as valued members of the community”.
“This strategy recognises that while much has been done, there are gaps in our understanding, services and supports for autistic people which must be addressed. This Strategy aims to build a firm foundation for this work across Government and society,” she added.
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