‘Autism is the forgotten disability’

DEIRDRE BOURKE is one of many parents who day in, day out, fight a lone, wearying battle to care for an autistic child.

Patrick, the youngest of five children, was diagnosed nearly three years ago. Since then Deirdre has done everything humanly possible to get basic services for Patrick.

At home in Limerick, Deirdre, who has four older daughters, said: “If only I could get him occupation therapy and speech therapy. But we cannot get these basic services for him. The system has failed him. Autism seems to be the forgotten disability in this country.”