LAST UPDATE | 26 Aug
THE GOVERNMENT HAS published its Autism Innovation Strategy which includes over 80 “clear and simple actions” to be implemented over an 18-month period.
The most recent consultation on the draft Strategy in February of this year garnered over 370 responses.
Following this, the Strategy was finalised and approved by Government in July.
The strategy also aims to “address gaps in existing services and supports for autistic people”.
This includes ensuring staff in libraries and cultural spaces have appropriate training on supporting autistic people and that there are supports for autistic people seeking to take part in further and higher education.
A sensory room will also be developed in each Intreo office.
The strategy also pledges to implement better therapy supports for autistic children and to support them in moving from early learning and childcare settings to primary school.
A Government spokesperson said the strategy was developed in collaboration with autistic people, parents, professionals and organisations supporting autistic people.
Some 11 Government Departments and a number of State agencies have also contributed to the Strategy, which will have a lifetime of 18 months and 83 “clear and simple actions” across four key pillars.
These key pillars include creating an “autism-affirming society”, ensuring equality of access to public services, enabling accessible, inclusive communities, and building capacity for further supports.
Taoiseach Simon Harris described it as a “really ambitious plan” and praised it for being a “short and sharp” strategy with a timeline of 18 months.
Harris also remarked that beside each of the 83 actions, there is “an assigned owner, be it a department or an agency, so there’s nowhere to hide in terms of making sure that there is delivery”.
“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,” said Harris.
He added that 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”.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte remarked that the strategy has been in the making since World Autism Awareness Day in 2021, when Rabbitte announced the government’s intention to develop a national strategy on autism.
She said the strategy will “provide the building blocks 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,” said Rabbitte.
“Bridging these gaps is essential in order to ensure that the autistic people in our families and communities have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and talents fully, creating a richer society for all of us.”
Rabbittee added that the Government will ”run a determined awareness campaign to increase understanding of autism in society and fund research to identify and begin to close the gaps in our knowledge of autism”.
Elsewhere, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman said it will create “tangible improvements in the lives of autistic people”.
He added: “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.”
O’Gorman also remarked that the strategy “addresses fundamental areas like health and social care, education, employment and community participation”.
Labour’s education spokesperson, MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, welcomed the publication of the strategy today.
He said Labour has long called for a National Autism Strategy and used “many of our Private Members’ Time in the Dáil to hold the Government’s feet to the fire on this issue”.
He added that the “current waiting times for autism assessments are nothing short of a national scandal” and that Government should “prioritise ending these waiting times by investing in the supports and services that are so badly needed”.
“Early intervention is paramount for children with autism, and these delays are unacceptable,” said Ó Ríordáin.
“We know that many children are still without an appropriate school place for September, and many are forced to travel long distances to access education, while others are forced to accept a school place that is inappropriate for their needs,” said Ó Ríordáin.
“The unfortunate reality is that too many families are in constant battle with the State when it comes to getting the help that they need.
“My hope is that the strategy announced today can representing turning the page and an end to that awful chapter in Irish society.”
Ireland’s autism charity AsIAm meanwhile described the strategy as an “important milestone” and an “important day for the Autistic community”.
The charity added that many of the 83 actions are recommendations made by AsIAm and that if they are implemented, it would “directly impact the lives of Autistic people and families”.
However, AsIAm remarked that the strategy must not “gather dust on a shelf or get lost in the formation of the next Government”.
AsIAm added that the strategy “must by underpinned by legislation”.
The charity added that it will “work to hold Government to account on the full implementation of the 83 promised actions in the Strategy and will communicate regularly with our community on how we believe implementation is progressing”.
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