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Autism in Ireland THE IRISH VOICE FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY F RONTLIVolumNe 86 • SpringE 2012 AUTISM IN IRELAND Early Intervention Parenting a Diagnostic child with ASD Classification STANDARDS — EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS — HIQA— SURVIVAL Volume 86 • Spring 2012 F RONTLINE CONTENTS FEATURE: AUTISM IN IRELAND 10 A Labyrinth? Joe McDonald attempts to answer 28 Supporting community some of the queries posed by living for adults with parents who have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders autism . (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) 12 Applied Behaviour Analysis Nessa Hughes takes a look at (ABA) and Autism services available for adults Niall Conlon explores ABA and diagnosied with ASD. autism studies in Irish universities. 31 Our Journey 15 The future of diagnostic Maria Moran tells the story of her classification in autism daughter Jessica’s diagnosis on 04 Prof. Michael Fitzgerald comments the autism spectrum and the on the proposed new criteria for whole familys’ journey as they DSM V for autism and offers his tried to find their way through a REGULARS considered opinion of its impact on maze of treatments and opinions both parents and children. for the best method to help and care for her. 03 Editorial 16 Autism and diagnostic 04 News Update controversies Cork man’s art chosen for United Ruth Connolly explores the problem Nations stamp. of diagnostics over the wide spectrum of autism, sometimes NDA Disability shows more leading to misinformation, negative attitudes. misunderstanding and confusion. All-party agreement on disability motion on Seanad Éireann. 18 Caring for people with autism Brothers of Charity ordered to and intellectual disability pay €2 million in staff Ciaran Leonard explains why caring increments. for someone with autism is a Inclusion Ireland AGM and marathon, not a sprint. annual conference 2012. Disability campaigner appointed 20 Developing relationships to Council of State. through play: The Early Start Marino School, Bray embraces Denver Model for Young the Community Special School Children with Autism (ESDM) 31 Module. Mitchell Fleming looks at one model Oireachtas Justice Committee of play-based intervention for young hears presentations on modern children with autism. 32 Autism/Intellectual capacity law. 23 Parenting a teenager with disability and person- Additional funding for children autism —what Stephen is centred behaviour supports with autism. teaching me! Eleanor Finnegan and Kathy Fighting to survive. Avril Webster describes how she is O’Grady describe the person- The International Eucharistic learning to cope with the challenges centred positive behaviour Congress 2012. of puberty in tandem with her son supports provided by the Muiríosa Stephen. Foundation to people with 08 Letter to the Editor intellectual disabilities. 24 Here we go again 38 Standards: Preparing for Rita Honan urges us to learn from 34 Autism: An Occupational Therapist’s experience and registration and inspection the previous recession to minimise of residential services for the inevitable damage that will be perspective done by the restrictions being placed Margot Barry aims to highlight people with disabilities on necessary resources. how the diagnosis Autistic Joe Wolfe and Trevor Nesirky Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can introduce the 26 Getting started impact a child’s ability to develop second in a Mirena Vladimirova tells how a film and participate in activities of series of articles she saw as a teenager has daily living and how occupational designed to influenced and helped her as she therapists assess and intervene support service fought for services for her autistic with a child who has an ASD. providers in son in her hometown of Sofia, preparing for Bulgaria. 36 St Catherine's Association registration Services for Children with and an ASD Diagnosis inspection by Ian Grey, principal psychologist of the Health 23 St Catherine’s Services, details the results of a recent survey on the Information services provided by St and Quality Catherine’s Association in Authority. Wicklow. frontline Spring 2012 FROM THE EDITOR CREDITS Editor Stephen Kealy LEARNING FROM SPRING Editorial Board Owen Doody Spring, a time for new life, ever present in our Mitchel Fleming immediate environment, an opportunity to Colin Griffiths experience the maturing of seeds sown, to observe Siobhán Kane Michael McKeon new growth and change, to reap the rewards of Kathy O’Grady careful husbandry—ever mindful of the dangers of an unexpected frost. Mary de Paor What a season to enjoy. Niamh Power Good growth depends on our preparatory spade work—continually Jean Spain wrestling with the weeds that can choke the survival of fragile plant Michael Teehan endeavouring to retain their hold on life. The thoughtful gardener plans Angelina Veiga his/her work, making sure that rotation takes place as needed, that plants Published by struggling in poor ground are given an opportunity to try new soil, more Frontline Magazine Ltd. light, less wind and positioning them in a way that allows them Design and Production opportunities to showcase their colour and fruit. Niamh Power, Print Design Services This issue of Frontline looks at autism in Ireland—what opportunities Printed by exist for many with an ASD profile. Anecdotally, from the reports of Opus Print clinicians working in early intervention around the country, the number of ISSN 0791–1270 individuals presenting with a diagnosis of ASD appear to be high. Many of Published Quarterly those diagnosed have been identified through the assessment of need, or through early intervention services, or perhaps through both processes. Cover: Natalie Byrne from Strictly speaking, the assessment of need is not a diagnostic process, but if Sunbeam House Services a need is apparent then clearly it has to be stated against the child’s scales new heights at the presentation. Climbing Wall in Lilliput A recent article in The Examiner has rightly attracted extensive negative Adventure Centre, Mullingar (photo: Michael feedback for the author, as the underlying theme ignores the huge Teehan). understanding from research and practice about Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Many people with ASD have now opportunities to live a better Frontline Magazine Ltd. is a ‘not for quality of life because of that research, and our growing understanding of profit’ organisation, formed solely to autism, particularly the need to have an individualised approach that publish the magazine Frontline . Copyright resides with the individual fosters relationship. authors, but permission to reproduce From the various articles published in this issue, it is evident that better any article must be obtained in writing outcomes are possible when an individualised approach is implemented from Frontline . for those presenting with ASD. This understanding is also equally true for Views expressed in Frontline are those any child with a disability who comes into an early intervention service. of the authors themselves and not Again anecdotally, clinicians working on early intervention services have necessarily those of the editor or signalled how meeting the legislative imperative of the Disability Act can editorial board. have a negative cascade effect on addressing actual interventions, which Letters to the editor are welcomed. Name and address should be provided; are the essential, nurturing spadework of an individualised approach. they will be published unless otherwise A fundamental goal of early intervention is to provide opportunities to requested. ameliorate a child’s disability and to parents to further develop their Articles may be submitted for possible competencies. If a disproportionate amount of allocated resources are tied publication in Frontline . Guidelines for up in meeting a legislative imperative, without available corresponding authors are available from the editor. resources to address t hose identified needs, it is then reasonable to Items on meetings, conferences etc. question the value of allocating huge clinical resources to a process which should be submitted well in advance of events, to meet the magazine re-states to parents what they possibly already know about their son or publication schedule. daughter. Frontline editorial address for letters, Is it time to think again about how meaningful individualised services articles and other items for inclusion: can best be delivered to children at a young age, so that a difference can Frontline Magazine Ltd. be made to their lives with lasting positive effects? Unit C2, The Steelworks Stephen Kealy Foley Street, Dublin 1 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.frontline-ireland.net Subscriptions: secretary@frontline- Contributors to this issue: ireland.net Reg. Chy No: 18745 Margot Barry Ian Grey Maria Moran Niall Conlon Paul Henry Kathy O’Grady Ruth Connolly Rita Honan Mirena Vladimirova Eleanor Finnegan Nessa Hughes Avril Webster Supported by Michael Fitzgerald Ciaran Leonard The People in Mitchell Fleming Joe McDonald Dr James Reilly TD Need Trust frontline Spring 2012 3 NEWS UPDATE CORK MAN’S ART CHOSEN FOR UNITED NATIONS STAMP A painting by 25 year-old Colm Isherwood from Cork has His work features a variety been chosen by the United Nations Postal Administration of materials, as well as a mix to be depicted one of a series of stamps to mark World of techniques to create Autism Awareness Day (2 April 2012). texture. The UN describes his The Cork man’s painting was one of just eight pieces paintings as sensory and selected following a worldwide search for talented artists tactile. with autism.
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