Like many of you, We are mothers of a child that has been diagnosed with autism. I have had to fight tooth and nail to get doctors and medical professionals to take me seriously when I raised my concerns for my daughter at an early age. I was dismissed, told her language delay and rocking could be due to a number of reasons because of the Pandemic, and even told by a doctor that I should not have visited, as this was not a priority.

Why are our young vulnerable children not a priority! Our Government offers a so-called 'Early Intervention' for our children with ASD, yet I have not met a parent who has been able to avail of these services before their child begins school. This is not acceptable support. Our children are regressing due to waiting lists. This is denying them from reaching their full potential in life. How is this equality!

Another massive issue faced by parents everywhere is the school situation. ASD schools with 6 places and not enough schools with facilities for our kids. Why should our kids need to travel nearly an hour away to go to school? Hearing of parents worrying that their kids can’t get a suitable place is disgraceful. Why can’t more schools facilitate our children? If schools didn’t facilitate children in a wheelchair there would be uproar and rightly so. Why are our children any different? It’s actually borderline discrimination. Things need to change, fast.

If, like us, you are not willing to accept this level of care from our country for your children, please support us by signing this petition. I will forward this to Josepha Madigan, Minister for Special Needs, and Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health.

Let's end this neglect for our children once and for all.

Louisa Greene (and Críoa my ASD beauty, who deserves to be the best her she can be) and Amy Deegan (my child was diagnosed when he was two and won’t get OT till he is 5. No update on 'Early Intervention' even with their new plan)