# Autism

This year

2023

Minister for Disabilities launches public transport initiative for people with autism

Minister for State Anne Rabbitte said she ‘expects ministers to have a very open door’ for her when she seeks a disability package in the next budget.

6.1k

Jun 14th 2023, 1:55 PM

# Special Needs

Government could reimburse parents who go private to assess children’s needs, Dáil told

The Taoiseach said the proposal was being assessed in response to questions from the Labour Party.

10.0k

May 24th 2023, 5:37 PM

# Autism

Call for families to take part in first national study on autistic children's school experiences

The project aims to improve educational policy and practices for autistic children across Ireland.

7.7k

Mar 30th 2023, 6:00 AM

# Raising Awareness

'It’s been a bit of a journey' - James McClean diagnosed with autism

The Ireland international hopes to inspire others by sharing the news.

22.9k

Mar 28th 2023, 4:34 PM

# Raising Awareness

'It’s been a bit of a journey' - James McClean diagnosed with autism

The Ireland international hopes to inspire others by sharing the news.

9.9k

Mar 28th 2023, 3:51 PM

# assessing autism

The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why is it so tough to access autism services?

Reporter Niall Sargent and expert Eleanor McSherry tell Susan Daly about chronic delays in autism assessments and services for children.

6.0k

Updated

Mar 21st 2023, 4:30 PM

THE MORNING LEAD

‘Shouting into a black hole’: Chronic delays to autism services failing children

A report by

Niall Sargent

Families left in limbo as hundreds of vacancies in HSE teams impact capacity to provide autism support.

Noteworthy investigates multi-year waiting lists for therapy and the devastating impacts on families

Over 700 vacancies remain across the 91 teams responsible for providing autism services

Expert: "The reality is the system is broken"

21.3k

Mar 20th 2023, 12:05 AM

THE MORNING LEAD

Calls for redress scheme for children affected by drug that caused birth defects

A report by

Jane Moore

One solicitor told The Journal there will be “at least a decade” of litigation over sodium valproate unless a redress scheme is set up.

13.4k

Mar 12th 2023, 12:05 AM

Last year

2022

# school places

Family 'devastated' that school for children with autism not ready for September opening

Gillian and Darren Milne appeared on RTÉ’s Prime Time to speak about their experience.

18.8k

Aug 26th 2022, 8:13 AM

# Autism

TD ‘beyond embarrassed’ by lack of action on services for autistic children

The Oireachtas Committee on Autism met this morning to discuss autism policy.

19.0k

Jul 12th 2022, 1:25 PM

# Education

Government approves legislation to compel schools to provide special education classes more quickly

The legislation was announced this afternoon by Ministers Norma Foley and Josepha Madigan.

14.8k

Jun 28th 2022, 4:14 PM

# Education

Colleges to get €3 million euro a year to support students with autism

Funding will start to be rolled out next year to approved projects.

9.1k

Jun 2nd 2022, 5:45 PM

# special education centres

Autism charity calls for immediate clarity on proposed 'special education centres'

Speaking this morning, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the proposal “won’t fly” with the public.

13.7k

Jun 2nd 2022, 3:00 PM

# Education

Government urged to confirm 'special education centres' no longer being considered

The proposal was met with backlash from parents and campaigners last week.

11.0k

Updated

May 31st 2022, 3:30 PM

# Education

'Ten steps backwards': Govt proposal to open 'special educational needs centres' met with criticism

Five centres are set to open in Dublin in September as an “interim” solution for children without a special class place in school.

12.8k

May 26th 2022, 3:07 PM

All time

# Autism

Allegations of department gathering dossiers on children with autism 'extremely concerning', says Paul Reid

Patient confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of the health service, said the HSE boss.

24.0k

Mar 28th 2021, 5:25 PM

# schools reopening

'Anxiety levels in my house are through the roof': Major challenge ahead for parents of children with ASD

Against the backdrop of Covid-19, parents worry how their children with special needs will cope with school this year.

21.3k

Aug 27th 2020, 12:05 AM

Voices

The long wait for autism assessment: 'From cautiously optimistic to desperately worried'

‘Starting primary school was always going to be difficult but now I am concerned that it will be deeply traumatic and damaging.’

20.8k

Aug 25th 2020, 7:30 PM

# Special Needs

New research highlights long-term impact of Covid-19 restrictions on children with autism

The report highlights a decline in children’s abilities and skills since the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions.

23.2k

Aug 13th 2020, 1:43 PM

# asiam

'Routine and structure has vanished': Autism community appeals for public support as it copes with Covid-19 crisis

AsIAm CEO Adam Harris said: “More than most, more than ever, we need your support now.”

18.9k

Apr 2nd 2020, 9:08 AM

Voices

Opinion: 'We battled to have our son's autism diagnosed - how might the delay have affected him?'

Mother’s six-year struggle of appeals, complaints and a High Court case to get her son the help he needed.

25.4k

Mar 18th 2020, 7:29 PM

# Waiting for Therapy

Three-quarters of children with autism not getting needs met in public system

Some families are going into debt because of their child’s condition – one to the tune of €150,000.

19.3k

Feb 21st 2020, 7:31 PM

# ge2020

'I hope the candidates are listening': Anger in Firhouse as parents plead for more autism supports

Firhouse Educate Together National School held a public meeting with several politicians in attendance.

17.2k

Feb 1st 2020, 8:15 AM

# Catherine Noone

Fine Gael stands by Catherine Noone and she can do whatever interview she likes, says Donohoe

Noone said the Taoiseach is a “very good politician”, but said she had no doubt he is “on the spectrum”.

46.9k

100

Updated

Jan 30th 2020, 1:01 PM

# ge2020

Simon Coveney apologises for Noone's comments: 'They were offensive, ignorant and wrong'

Noone is now writing to autism support organisations.

23.6k

Jan 29th 2020, 3:57 PM

# Catherine Noone

'Good enough for me': Varadkar says he accepts apology from FG senator who described him as 'autistic'

Catherine Noone released a statement this morning apologising for the remarks and saying she withdrew them.

36.9k

100

Jan 28th 2020, 11:56 AM

# btyse

This wristband subtly alerts teachers when a student with Autism is feeling overwhelmed

The project is on display at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition this week.

146k

Jan 9th 2020, 11:17 AM

# Travel

Dublin Airport opens sensory room for passengers with special needs

The room includes relaxing music, mood lighting, bean bags and digital display panels.

21.0k

Nov 25th 2019, 11:34 AM

# Courts

Mother who smothered daughter with pillow found not guilty by reason of insanity

The jury spent 54 minutes deliberating today before delivering a unanimous verdict.

18.2k

Oct 23rd 2019, 3:28 PM

# Courts

Woman who smothered her daughter was suffering from severe depression with psychotic features, court hears

The woman had a ‘fixed, false and psychotic view’ of her child’s autistic condition, the trial was told.

10.3k

Oct 23rd 2019, 11:48 AM

# Autism

'Until now people have been expecting these kids to adapt - but why should they adapt?'

Just because a child has autism or has neuro-diverse needs, it doesn’t mean they can’t be encouraged to be artistic, as these experts show.

17.4k

Oct 14th 2019, 6:00 PM

# july provision

Changes to summer scheme for children with disabilities to be considered after High Court cases

The scheme provides funding towards extra schooling in July for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or severe learning disability.

22.1k

Oct 7th 2019, 12:05 AM

# Home tuition

Young children with autism left without education due to funding delays

Home tutors have raised concerns that the Department of Education has failed to process tuition grants.

7.8k

Sep 26th 2019, 6:15 AM

# Courts

High Court quashes decision to expel teenage boy with autism from secondary school

The teen was alleged to have engaged in “unpredictable, aggressive and violent behaviour in the school”.

19.9k

Sep 13th 2019, 2:44 PM

# Education

Concern hundreds of children with autism could be without school places in September

Last month the Department of Education served statutory notices on 18 schools and two patrol bodies in the Dublin 15 area urging them to make additional provision.

12.8k

Jul 31st 2019, 6:15 AM

# Education

High Court grants review of decision not to approve child with Down Syndrome for schooling scheme

The July Provision Scheme provides funding for extended schooling for children with ASD and severe/profound learning disability.

8.7k

May 22nd 2019, 10:07 AM

# Autism

Some autistic children 'unable to attend school' due to lack of supports

Some 33% of parents said they were waiting one to two years for a place to become available.

12.4k

Apr 8th 2019, 11:03 AM

# riley's challenge

The importance of #RileysChallenge, and how it almost got taken off Instagram

Now’s your chance to learn Lámh.

10.1k

Feb 7th 2019, 3:26 PM

Voices

Opinion: Teaching unions' stance on education plans for students with disabilities sets a worrying precedent

I believe that the unions are targeting industrial action at a minority and that this sets a worrying precedent for all minority groups, writes Adam Harris.

17.0k

Jan 9th 2019, 7:00 AM

# DCU

This futuristic pod is making college life easier for students with autism

The sensory pod helps students take a break away from the hustle and bustle of college life.

20.1k

Jan 1st 2019, 10:00 PM