asked the Minister for Health what steps his Department are taking to obtain an assessment in each health authority of the number of autistic children as distinct from mentally deficient children; and what general scheme he proposes to initiate in respect of autistic children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Autistic Children.
64.
As I have indicated in replies to previous questions in the matter, there is no generally accepted definition of autism in children. The term is used to describe a particular illness but it is also used to cover a number of different mental illnesses of childhood. At present statistics of the total number of children in this country in need of psychiatric care are not available, and, indeed, reliable statistics are not available for any country. Children from any health authority area may be referred to centres in Dublin and Cork for assessment.
There is a residential unit of 30 beds for mentally ill children, including autistic children, at St. Loman's Hospital, Ballyowen, County Dublin, and a day-centre for such children at St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin. Tenders have been invited for the building of a further unit in Dublin. The possibility of obtaining a suitable building for a unit in Cork is being investigated.
65.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a booklet issued by the Canadian Government dealing with parent guidance etc. in respect of autistic children; and if he will have a similar booklet issued by his Department so that valuable information on this matter may reach the parents of such children in this country.
I am not aware of any booklet issued by the Canadian Government, but the Deputy is possibly referring to a booklet issued by the Canadian Mental Health Association. If this is so, copies of the booklet have already been distributed by The Irish Society for Autistic Children. Any interested person may obtain a copy from the Society. I see no need for my Department to issue a similar booklet.