Several TDs have written to the Ceann Comhairle to ask Danny Healy-Rae to withdraw his remarks about autism during a private members’ motion on special education school places this week.
“It seems to me that autism and complex needs are on the increase”, said Mr Healy-Rae.
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“It didn’t seem to be an issue at all [when I was younger] and I’m wondering if it is a lack of some vitamins or what is it?”.
“There could be something that is causing it," he said.
Danny Healy-Rae
Adam Harris, CEO of autism charity AsIAm, joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast to give his reaction to Deputy Healy-Rae’s comments this week.
“They’re obviously deeply unhelpful and, frankly, deeply harmful remarks by Deputy Healy-Rae.
"I think the remarks come from a place of privilege but speaking from a position of great ignorance of the experiences of autistic people across the country,” said Mr Harris.
“When we frame the discussion around the cause and issue of autism, we seem to imply that it’s autistic people that are the problem."
As I Am CEO Adam Harris speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, 27-8-24. Image: NewstalkMr. Harris believes that modern Ireland has become better at identifying autism, and wants the focus to be on helping autistic people to tackle life's obstacles.
It was put to Mr. Harris that there is a lot of misinformation around autism, and the impact on those who live with it.
“We’re extremely concerned about [misinformation], and indeed in our annual report this year, 91% of community members felt that there was a growth in misinformation across the last year,” says Mr Harris.
“Part of this has been driven by administrations around the world, including the US administration, that are now spreading very dangerous accusations about autism that have long been definitively disproven by the World Health Organisation.
"This can lead to ineffective and mistreatment of autism and poses broader public health concerns as well.”
Mr Harris said that the appropriate course of action for Deputy Healy-Rae would be to withdraw his remarks.
Deputy Healy-Rae has not responded to the requested comment from Newstalk Breakfast at the time of Mr. Harris' interview.
