World Autism Day

Today we recognise and celebrate our autistic citizens

Today, Sunday 2nd April, is World Autism Day, where we recognise and celebrate autistic people in Ireland. Recently, AOTI appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism and as part of our discussion with the Committee, we set out a framework we believe is necessary to change how State services are delivered to autistic people. This framework focuses on the following four key areas:

1. Equality: The autistic community should have equal access to all aspects of health services in the same way that neurotypical people do. Barriers to accessing services based on a diagnosis of autism need to be removed.
2. Mainstreaming: AOTI advocates for a mainstreaming approach whereby all health services become autism-friendly and inclusive of autistic and other neurodivergent people.
3. Neuroaffirmative Approaches: The world is designed for neurotypical people, which in turn disables autistic and other neurodivergent people. A neuroaffirmative approach requires a rethinking of how public services are designed and delivered, and a restructuring of communities, so that they enable autistic people and support their full participation in everyday community life.
4. Lifespan Perspective: Occupational Therapy and other health and social care professional services must be provided by the State throughout the lifespan of autistic people. Occupational Therapy supports autistic people to engage in valued play and leisure, education, work and health management activities.

AOTI’s full opening statement to the Committee can be found here. The full meeting can be viewed here and the full transcript of the meeting can be read here. AOTI is currently exploring the establishment of a Neurodiversity Advisory Group that would provide members with enhanced CPD learning and peer support opportunities.

AsIAM Report

AsIAm, Ireland's national autism charity, recently published a report that set out some stark findings, inlcuding, 86% of respondents do not believe they have the same chance in Irish society, 90% do not think the Irish public understands enough about autism and 91% believe that being autistic is a barrier to being accepted and making friends. Other findings included:

• 61% don’t believe the education system is inclusive
• 75% don’t believe the healthcare system is inclusive
• 68% are on waiting lists to access services
• 38% believe they have experienced discrimination in the past 12 months
• 81% report that being autistic makes the cost of living crisis worse

The majority of responses relate to children (70%) while autistic adults, aged over 18 represented (30%) of responses. The full AsIAM report can be read here. The launch of the report coincides with the launch of the of the Same Chance Campaign which takes place across the month of April. It is an invitation for the general public to engage and learn more about autism in order to remove day to day barriers experienced by autistic people. 

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said ” Depriving autistic people of the same chance does not just have devastating consequences on the at least 3.3% of people in Ireland who are autistic. It also represents a loss of diversity, talent and perspective for Irish society as a whole.

“This report provides a very depressing landscape of Autistic people who want the same chance to live long, healthy and happy lives. No more, no less. It is important that inclusion is not defined merely as access to services such as education or healthcare. It is about public transport, the workplace, and life in the community in a much broader sense. Autistic people will only enjoy equality in Irish life if we live in communities which are informed, accepting and affirming of our community. Yes, there has been progress in some areas, but there is so much work still to be done.

 “We look forward to hear the Government’s response in the upcoming Oireachtas Committee on Autism and the Minister’s Strategy for autism.”