Autism

Stories about autism

‘Our daughter blames us for not realising years ago that she was autistic’

Ask the Expert: She was diagnosed recently, aged 23. We did our best as struggling parents, but sometimes we did mess up and shout at her

‘They are being robbed of their potential’: Thousands of children with special needs waiting years for vital therapy

Parents worry that their children are slipping through the cracks of service beset by staff shortages, deficient assessments and a morale crisis

Nearly half of young at Dublin mental health service are autistic, says provider

Lucena Clinic gets accreditation as first mental health service in Ireland officially declared autism-friendly

Autism could be diagnosed with stool sample tests, scientists say

Finding suggests that a routine procedure could help doctors identify condition and provide support earlier

Eamon Ryan: ‘I will never forget seeing a really nasty comment about my father, who had just died. It has become worse since then’

Green Party's departing leader talks about corrosive social media abuse, his political legacy, and how the State is failing people with special needs

‘My 11-year-old son needs help with rejection sensitivity’

Ask the Expert: He is extremely self-conscious, gets very upset by perceived criticism and can’t take correction

‘You’re wasting my time’: Audio recording prompts father of autistic boy to complain of emotional abuse at school

Many parents of children with complex needs say pupils are mistreated in a school system with no guidelines for dealing with challenging behaviour

Boy with autism ‘distressed’ after being put in wetsuit against mother’s wishes to prevent smearing faeces

Ombudsman for Children’s Office finds ‘notable increase in complexity’ of complaints cases

Public and private sector employers urged to ‘work with the strengths’ of people with disabilities

Fórsa trade union conference hears of experiences of woman with hearing loss and man with autism and ADHD identifications

Twelve points to consider if your child seems to be academically or socially out of step

Move away from the stereotypes of learning difficulties, says author who has both personal and professional experience of them

Primary school challenges requirement to enrol profoundly disabled child

Board of management says the school lacks the expertise and access to supports required to meet the child’s needs

Nuala O’Connor on her adult autism diagnosis: ‘I’d found out it was my brain pushing me in these directions ... I was euphoric’

Author was at her lowest two years ago, but hope arrived via an interview on the radio, when she realised she might be autistic

Friendships on the spectrum: ‘I managed to mask my way into the popular group, despite never feeling like I fitted there’

The potential for miscommunication is high between neurodivergent people and neurotypical people, but there are ways to address this

How to advocate for and empower your neurodivergent child

The final article in a special six-part series on parenting exceptional children - a strengths-based approach to raising autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent children

Parenting exceptional children: Managing challenges and problem-solving as issues arise

Article five in a special six-part series – a strengths-based approach to raising autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent children

Use of seclusion and restraint ‘common’ for autistic pupils, survey finds

Majority of public feel children should be helped as opposed to punished if they become stressed in a classroom

Some children try to mask or camouflage their differences to fit in

Parenting Exceptional Children: Third in a six-part series focuses on a strengths-based approach to raising autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent children

The GAA team for children with additional needs: ‘It’s a real joyful vibe and something totally different’

At Ranelagh Rockets, children are free to regulate, have meltdowns and progress in an understanding and nonjudgmental environment

One-quarter of over-18s say they are neurodivergent or have family member who is, survey finds

Only half of neurodivergent people who are working have disclosed their condition to their employer

‘Your neurodivergent child might be good at maths and struggle to tie their shoelaces’

Parenting Exceptional Children: The second in a special six-part series — a strengths-based approach to raising autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent children

A strengths-based approach to raising autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent children

Parenting exceptional children: Society does not yet fully embrace neurodivergent communication, learning styles

Legislation needed to guarantee implementation of new autism strategy, Dáil told

Oireachtas committee report makes 109 recommendations which TD Pauline Tully says must be acted on

Calls to pause rollout of controversial changes to teaching hours for vulnerable pupils

Campaigners warn that one in three schools will lose support for disabled children while others would gain enhanced hours

‘I am struggling to help my two children, who still live at home. They are both very isolated’

Tell Me About It: If your children can see that their father is self-aware and help-seeking, it might open the door for them to risk asking for help too

‘My 10-year-old daughter is very quiet and we think she may be autistic’

Ask the Expert: Taking time to consider whether your child may be autistic might yield a better understanding of their needs. Also, there is a growing positive identity around being autistic

Teacher alleged to have shouted and pulled at autistic pupil accused of professional misconduct

Fitness-to-teach inquiry hears school principal failed to inform pupil’s parents of allegations

Boy (12) settles case over epilepsy drug taken by mother during pregnancy

Settlement includes €3.75 million interim payment

‘As the mother of an autistic person, I’m sometimes seen as a pushy, pain-in-the-ass’

First Person: Through the eyes of her 20-year-old son Caoimh, Adrienne Murphy is learning what it’s like to navigate the healthcare system as an autistic person

‘My four-year-old son is on a long waiting list for an autism assessment’

Ask the Expert: ‘He is due to start school in September but I don’t know when he will be assessed’

‘It’s more than the horses now’: North Co Dublin equine therapy centre searching for a new home

Owner Georgia Lillis, daughter of late Celine Cawley, says she has ‘to fight and find somewhere else for these children’

Naoise Dolan: ‘I feel like someone is going to punish me for being too proud of myself’

The Women’s Podcast with Róisín Ingle

Rabbitte supports proposal to fund return of overseas disability workers to plug staff shortages

There is ‘no denying’ staffing shortages in disability sector, Minister of State says

Staff crisis in autism services: Call to subsidise travel for disability workers returning to Ireland

Committee ‘shocked and alarmed’ to learn about the financial impact of autism

How to manage money when dealing with autism, ADHD and other conditions

Having a different sort of brain to the majority of the population can become a de facto tax. Here’s how to avoid those financial issues.

Autism charity pressed over ‘substantial’ assets of €10 million

Irish Society for Autism says it is dealing with increasing volume of queries and requests for assistance every year

Aoife Dooley: ‘There are a lot of views around autism that are very backwards’

The Women’s Podcast with Róisín Ingle

Preschool year ‘not satisfactory’ for special needs

Department says some children are missing out due to shortage of assistants

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