Autism information - Clear need for State guidance

TODAY we tell the story of story of Frank and Norma Mulcahy and their son Rory who has Aspergers.

Though opportunities have improved dramatically, there remains a lot to be done. For far too many families the struggle to get the best for their child leaves no room for anything else, it becomes all-consuming, absorbing every ounce of energy and free time. The emotional and psychological demands are also enormous.

The disturbing thing about the Mulcahys’ story is not that they have to struggle so hard to get a school place for Rory, but that even getting basic information about entitlements and the supports is so difficult.

“We come from the self-taught school of parents with autistic children... there’s no ‘how to’ guide... nobody said ‘this is what you need to do, these are the groups to help you, and here is the funding available to you... every single department keeps them under wraps. We had to trawl through the internet to find any help, we battle the whole time,” they say.

In 2007 this is unacceptable. It cannot be beyond the abilities of the Government to provide an information pack detailing all services and supports available through State agencies for every family when a case such as this is diagnosed. That it is not is an indication of a coldness and indifference that cannot be tolerated.