Disappointment over TD’s autism remarks
Following on from Mattie McGrath (Independent)’s speech in the Dáil recently when he stated that there was an “explosion of autism”, Jordan Lewis, Labour Local Elections candidate for the Roscrea/Templemore area would like to convey his disappointment that an elected representative would have made this comment.
Mr Lewis said: “Mr McGrath speaks of this ‘explosion of autism’ in the same manner as we spoke about the pandemic, that it is something that has just arrived overnight, how has it happened, what has caused it, that ‘it wasn't there in my day’, etc. Coming from a personal perspective of having Aspergers and Dyspraxia, I recognise the challenges faced by families and individuals. I was luckily diagnosed from an early age, but my parents had to fight to access what support was available in the early 2000s. I know of others who unfortunately did not receive this level of support. To those, I want to say there are supports available both nationally and locally, for example, AsIAm, Autism Awareness and multi-disciplinary teams in our CDNT's and Primary Care Services. Autism has been recognised across the world since the 1940s, but like left-handed people, they were taught to conform. It is only in recent times autism and other disabilities related to autism have been more widely recognised due to advances in research and diagnostic tools. With that has come more services and accommodations in schools across the country.
“Psychologists and multi-disciplinary teams both public and private are now thankfully widely diagnosing autism at earlier stages because of the availability of studies and further research. There is a growing awareness of autism now and the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention services. Mainstream schools are now opening more and more autism specific classrooms which promotes inclusion and allows for autistic children to attend their local primary school with their siblings. These classrooms are learning environments that are tailored to the needs of those autistic children both academically and holistically and are not just ‘autistic rooms’ as Mr McGrath described.
“Acceptance of one’s diagnosis is not easy but especially when growing up and the services were not immediately known or offered. It therefore made me feel like an outcast and couldn't see my role in society and my community. It was with the wonderful support of my parents in particular that I am able to be a proud individual owning and accepting my own disability.
“Because of this, it is one of the biggest reasons I am running for the local elections so that this stigma of an ‘explosion of autism’ will no longer be common wording in society. I feel that I can sincerely understand and appreciate the needs of parents of autistic children in my community. In putting myself forward for the local elections, it will give me the opportunity to be a voice for everyone who deserves and need support without fear of judgment. This is something I will always be proud and privileged of, to give those in our community who need a voice now more than ever.”