Five children with autism have brought separate High Court actions over the Minister for Education’s alleged failure to provide them access to education

Cara Darmody is campaigning for the Government to carry out autism assessments of need for children within the legal limit of six months.

To mark Autism Awareness Day today, therapist and coach Mirin Mooney looks at how our understanding of autism has changed and dispels some common autism myths.

The branch sensory environment has been enhanced to include changes in lighting to make the public areas of its buildings warmer and more accessible.

The autistic boy has had to return to pre-school because of an apparent delay in providing a modular classroom to hold 12 extra pupils

She says she was "taken aback" that there was a waiting time of six years between applying for an assessment and the proposed receipt of HSE services in 2028.

Bus Éireann has been unable to procure a service to bring the boy to school

Kate Raftery, from Dublin, addressed parents camping outside the Department of Education to protest over a lack of special education school places

Charlotte Cahill, whose daughter Cyra is autistic, said she believes the lack of school places for children with additional needs is getting worse

The boy’s mother has brought an urgent High Court application seeking orders compelling either agency to provide him with an appropriate placement

It was claimed the defendants breached his rights by failing to make available compulsory education for him between the ages of 15 and 18.

Getting a diagnosis of autism for a child can be a long and stressful process. CHRIS DUNNE hears about one family who were handed a lifeline and vital

YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI gets advice from experts for families who are awaiting an autism assessment for their child

Niamh Garvey is a former nurse from Blarney, and she is the mother of three girls. 

DEIRDRE McARDLE talks to Aileen Ferris about her inclusive yoga class for neurodiverse people

The settlement is the end of a long legal road for the family of Keith Callaghan who first initiated proceedings over 10 years ago

The boy has speech and language delay and requires significant help from an adult to keep him safe.

The boy, who cannot be named, exhibits developmental delay, is non-verbal and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

The allegations were made by a now former staff member who alleged the children in the school's special autism unit were pulled and dragged "countless times" by two other staff

The 33-year-old Wrexham footballer revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with autism.

A teacher and a school principal have appeared before a fitness-to-teach inquiry over the alleged inappropriate removal of headphones from the boy

CHRIS DUNNE talks to Evaleen Whelton ahead of an information session for parents and carers who are waiting on a child’s autism diagnosis

It is the highest award so far against the HSE related to the care provided by the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

The TV presenter announced in 2021 that she had been diagnosed as autistic at the age of 51.

Irish author Méabh Collins’ debut novel challenges stereotypical representations of autism, writes PET O’CONNELL

Fiona O'Leary had challenged the condition imposed on her by Judge James McNulty at a sitting of Bandon District Court last January, on the grounds that it breached her right to freedom of expression

Faith Tutty was speaking at the Four Courts where her son Nate settled a High Court action over the circumstances of his birth at University Hospital, Waterford with a €1.4 million interim payout.

Senator Micheal Carrigy said several key issues were identified including delays in Assessment of Need.

EMMA CONNOLLY catches up with the winner of Miss Cork People’s Choice to find out about her work with the Rainbow Club

A Blarney nurse has published her first book, ‘Looking After Your Autistic Self’. CHRIS DUNNE catches up with Niamh Garvey

McClean shared his diagnosis in a post on Instagram, where he said he has very similar traits to his daughter Willow Ivy, who was diagnosed with autism four years ago

This is according to new research published today by leading hiring platform Irish Jobs and Ireland’s national autism charity AsIAm. 

heartfelt new film, Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism

As TV presenter Melanie Sykes prepares to share her experiences of autism in more depth, Imy Brighty-Potts talks to experts about getting diagnosed as an adult.

AsIAm chief executive Adam Harris said current procedures for mental health services "leave autistic people behind"

Mum of six - five of whom are neuro-divergent - Sharon McCarthy talks about her own autism diagnosis as an adult and how it has impacted her relationship with her children, friends and herself, in a positive way

The Coombe hospital in Dublin has apologised to a teenage boy with autism and his family for the failings in care after his birth

Cork Autism Conference takes place on October 23. COLETTE SHERIDAN talks to organiser Micheál Ó Mathúna of Autism Cork about the highlights of the event

Aston Shiels Flynn, the High Court heard, is on the highest scale of the autism spectrum, has limited speech and has developmental delay

A State watchdog has ordered its first compensation payout concerning the non-wearing of a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic.

AsIAm said it is deeply concerned by the decision.

Playwright Jody O’Neill, who grew up in Cobh, is a new Theatre Artist in Residence for Cork Opera House and UCC. JENNIFER HORGAN caught up with her

From sportspeople to musicians, these celebrities challenge the stereotypes of neurodivergence.

After quitting her singing career to care for her son who has autism, Dervla Burke O’Connor tells CHRIS DUNNE why she is campaigning for better and services

The Dolan family are taking on two 7-week-old golden retriever/labrador cross pups for seven days, to help them integrate into a typical family household. John Dolan tells us more

Although the first signs of autism are usually seen in childhood, it’s often not diagnosed until adulthood. Lisa Salmon outlines some of the symptoms.

Jamie Kelly decided to take up cycling during the pandemic for mind and body — and now he tells CHRIS DUNNE how he is peddling to raise funds for an autism centre in Cork

Rehab Group, Ireland’s largest disability organisation, recently acquired Aspect, a Cork-based service which helps people on the autism spectrum to live independent lives. Director of Care with Rehab Group, Grainne Fogarty tells us more

This month, Lenore Good, mum of six, with five on the spectrum, was set to climb Africa’s highest mountain for three Cork charities. Here she explains how it has been rescheduled and what life has been life these past few months for her family

This summer marked the fifth anniversary of The Rainbow Club, now used by more than 400 children. Although they had to close due to Covid earlier this year, they have re-opened and are planning on expanding services this September, writes IRENE HALPIN LONG