Cara Darmody: Dearth of autism resources 'needs to be treated like a crisis, like Covid'

The 11-year-old Tipperary schoolgirl, who raises money for autism services in and around her home town and is in the media demanding HSE and government action, is fast becoming to autism what Greta Thunberg is to the environment

Cara Darmody: “I want to do what I can because what is happening is an absolute disgrace. The damage done from a lack of services for children like my brothers is permanent." Picture: Neil Michael

Cara Darmody’s brother Neil can watch a 10-second clip of Peppa Pig 150 times every day but nobody in the Tipperary schoolgirl’s family knows why.

The fact that he also likes watching the same clip upside down and exists on very little sleep is also baffling. As to why the nine-year-old repeatedly hits his face with a clenched fist is also something Cara can’t understand.