Councillors back autism plan but call assessment delays 'a shame on our state'
While there have been major strides in Dublin’s ambitious plan to become the world’s first autism friendly capital, there is still a lot more work to be done.
Dublin City Council’s three-year autism action plan was welcomed by councillors at yesterday's monthly meeting, but several representatives highlighted the urgent need to address education, employment, and housing issues for neurodivergent people. Cllr Alison Field commended autism charity AsIAm founder Adam Harris for the great work they have done while pointing out the challenges of being a parent to child with severe autism.
She said she doesn't believe there is a strong enough focus on those with severe autism and is currently in the process of trying to secure a special school place for her son and has already received five refusals to date. “With one I was told the catchment area is the issue, but when you only have three places in your area and 60 people apply you do have to apply everywhere,” she said.
“Our children do not have playdates, parties, football trips - school places are essential for them to mix and learn. I am tired and I am worn out and I am burnt out.”
Cllr Field said her son has been on the books of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) since he was five years old, and that he is now 12. “There is absolutely no forward planning on this, why is this neglect here,” she asked.
She said that she’s accepted her son may never “be a doctor, train driver, mechanic, or pay taxes” and she simply wants him to be given support services so “he could talk.” “I am sick of worrying, we need change.”
Referencing teen disability activist Cara Darmody's 50-hour sleep-out protest, Cllr Field said, “a teenager sleeping outside Leinster House is an ultimate disgrace and a shame on our state.” The 15-year-old staged her protest during the blistering winds of Storm Bram last December to raise awareness for the 18,000 children awaiting an overdue assessment of needs.
Cllr Janice Boylan too shared her experiences of being a mother to a child with extra needs, and said the “trials and tribulations” of getting a diagnosis of autism and ADHD for her eight year old son were extreme. “It took me, an elected councillor who knows how to advocate, five years to get his assessment completed,” she said.
She said she ultimately had to get a solicitor involved and that there are major barriers facing people with autism. Cllr Boylan called for more education so people understand autism and “move away from the stigma” associated with neurodiversity. Educating the public around autism is a major tenet of the Dublin City Autism Friendly Action Plan 2026 – 2028.
Cllr Gavin Pepper also spoke about being a parent to a diagnosed autistic son and said he’s currently waiting on an assessment for his younger child and that waiting lists are a huge problem. He commended the great work being done as part of the action plan, but said it’s disappointing that projects that help neurodivergent young people, like the counselling service Hear Me Out in Finglas , have to fight for funding.
The way that autism intersects with housing in Dublin was highlighted by Cllr Darragh Moriarty who said he doesn’t feel the council adequately takes into account the needs to autistic children. He cited the example of households with multiple children under a certain age not being entitled to a number of bedrooms as showing a lack of consideration for “what it's like to share bedspaces of children with additional needs.”
“If we want to truly be an autism friendly city we need to have that embedded in our housing policy,” he argued.
This point was echoed by Cllr Janet Horner who pointed out the significant overrepresentation of autistic people within homelessness services. She said this is “not a coincidence" and that there’s a “compounding marginalisation” that highlights the need for homelessness services to be engaged as part of the plan.
One major component of the Autism Friendly Action Plan is the establishment of a steering committee chaired by the Lord Mayor. Cllr Jesslyn Henry stressed the importance of this committee featuring a majority of autistic voices that can represent the diverse spectrum of neurodivergent people.
Despite the need for further support highlighted by councillors, the Autism Friendly Action Plan was unanimously supported and will see the council, alongside the AsIAm charity and through the Autism Friendly Towns initiative, work toward improving inclusivity and autism services across the city.
As part of the plan there will be an Autism Friendly Towns Committee in each of the 11 local electoral areas and businesses will also be encouraged to participate as Autism-Friendly Champions. At least 60 Autism-Friendly Champions will be recruited and trained across the city, these include representatives from public services, voluntary organisations, and businesses.
Public transport networks across Dublin will also receive autism specific training. The development of quiet spaces and priority autistic parking spaces are also key to the action plan. They will roll out visual guides, sensory boxes and break out rooms in public buildings where appropriate as well.
A sensory map of the city will highlight the location of public break zones, sensory toolkits and sensory gardens. Sensory accommodations in train stations and other transport networks will be enhanced.
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