Call for public submissions on autistic spectrum supports
By William O'Connor
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), parents and clinicians have been encouraged to make submissions to a HSE review of autism supports and services.
Local TD, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD, said: “I want to ensure that anybody with ASD in our community has access to the necessary supports to enable them to reach their full potential and live rich and fulfilling lives. There is a need for a strategic approach to enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of local services to meet the evolving needs of people with ASD.
“Many of the representations I receive in my office are in relation to ASD-related supports and services and it is a subject I have raised continuously with my colleague, Minister for Health, Simon Harris.
“The Department of Health has set up a working group to consider the effectiveness of existing services, to identify models of good practice among such services, and to identify practice models that are not having a positive impact.”
“It is important that we identify where in the country services are operating well and where they are not. The HSE has now invited submissions from service users, parents and practitioners, and I want to encourage people to take the opportunity to have their voices heard.
“I know from speaking to many local parents and from my work with groups, including the Lucan Autism Network, that parents want to voice their opinions on what services are needed and how to improve the current services.
“Three workshops will also be held in September with key advocates and NGOs: Disability Federation of Ireland; the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and Inclusion Ireland, and the working group will report on its findings by the end of September.
“The Department of Health is also conducting a research study into the prevalence and future projections for autism spectrum disorder later this year to allow us to plan for the future and future-proof our strategies for people with autism.
“Following the advancement of this work, the Minister has told me he intends to proceed next year with a national strategy for enhancing the health service response to people with ASD.”
To make a submission to this important review, send your views (between 500 and 1000 words) to asd@hse.ie by September 12.
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