Services criticised on World Autism Awareness Day

A mother of a young child with autism has today hit out at the standard of services available in Ireland.

Tish Durkin is the wife of 'Dragon's Den' star Sean O'Sullivan.

She said the services here compare poorly to other countries and is calling on the Government to intervene.

Her comments come on World Autism Awareness Day.

Ms Durkin says her goal is to see services improved.

"There's a lot of money being spent on autism, but it's being completely wasted" she said.

"It is shocking; my first and rather obvious goal is for autism services in Ireland to be carried out by people who know something about autism, or cease to be called autism services.

"It is amazing that autism units attached to mainstream schools around the country can be run by teachers who have zero knowledge or training of autism."

Ms Durkin said that her family were fortunate enough to be able to afford private home help for their child said that the difference it has made has been immense.

"The difference is just unbelievable - he was getting worse from week to week, and then he started to get help," she said.

"And now, even though he's got a very long road to go, he's happy, he's engaged, he's improving.

"Statistically, the difference between a child who gets significant early intervention - and a child who gets nothing - is the difference between a potentially functional adult and a life-long dependent."