'Can the little squirt pass the exam?': Cara Darmody, 12, sits Leaving Cert maths

Tipperary girl, who sat the Junior Cert aged 11, admitted that she, along with many other students across the country, found the exam 'tough'

Cara Darmody with her brother John at their parents home in Ardfinnan, near Cahir, Co Tipperary. Picture: Neil Michael

Cara Darmody, the 12-year-old autism activist, has sat her Leaving Cert maths exam six years ahead of her time to raise awareness and draw attention to the 20,000 people awaiting autism assessments in Ireland.

Cara, who sat the Junior Cert aged 11, admitted that she, along with many other students across the country, found the exam "tough".