Today I was honoured to be invited to the launch by the All Party Group on Autism of their report entitled "Broken Promises". I was very much in awe of the surroundings as although I have walked around the grounds on several occasions, they've never actually let me in through the front door!
(In fact, one Sunday morning when visiting with some English friends, we tried to examine the architecture in greater detail when we were sternly told by a booming voice from above to "Move away from the building!" I'm not quite sure what Security thought we were trying to do - a senior citizen, her 20-something son, a toddler in a buggy and me but I think it made me realise that this might be something important Heck, I even wore a dress!
We were welcomed in the Long Gallery by Pam Cameron DUP who handed over to Dr. Arlene Cassidy MBE and Shirelle Stewart. My first impression of this was that it was great to see Autism NI and the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland working alongside each other when it is evident to autism parents that Health and Education Services can't manage to do this effectively.
I listened carefully as they outlined how the Autism Act NI 2011 had put into legislation a range of strategies to reduce waiting lists and help families access services for their children and adults, including in education and employment, only to fail. Who'd trust a politician?
Then there were the case studies. Gemma Doherty spoke about her family situation; A P1 teacher whose health had suffered while she juggled work with being a carer. She spoke of the locks on her doors and I really wanted to speak to her because it sounded like we were living parallel lives.
Next came a lady who spoke of her experiences of discrimination and bullying, how being a carer is saving the government mega-bucks because a parent will never give up on their child no matter how hard life is. One of her scenarios reminded me of the irate tourist who very loudly and publicly admonished Houdini on our family holiday in Menorca and how we haven't had a proper holiday since.
Finally, we met Georgia Grainger who had stood as a Green Party candidate in the recent election. She was diagnosed with Aspergers aged 19, has completed an English degree and is seeking employment in a field that isn't the stereotypical ICT. Her ability to talk about Equality and Human Rights made me feel optimistic about the future of my own aspie.
And that was that. The conclusion being that the new executive must do better to ensure good quality of life, opportunities and support to all those affected by autism. Exactly what every parent in Northern Ireland has known since their family member became one of the "1 in 50!"
So as I drove the sunny M3 home, I began to mull over what I had heard today and began to realise that I still had many unanswered questions. Who was actually present? I didn't notice any of the "big-hitting MLAs" in that room. Were the ministers for Health or Education even there? How beneficial is it for MLAs to be present and then, leave to attend their other meetings? Surely, if the audience was mostly parents, were the two biggest autism charities in Northern Ireland simply "preaching to the converted?"
Mostly, I'd like to know how exactly do you make the executive accountable for reneging on their promises? How do you get the necessary funding when the education budget alone is to be cut by £22 million? Support for disabilities didn't feature on a single election flyer that graced my letterbox. I can only watch with interest to see how it all unfolds.
(In fact, one Sunday morning when visiting with some English friends, we tried to examine the architecture in greater detail when we were sternly told by a booming voice from above to "Move away from the building!" I'm not quite sure what Security thought we were trying to do - a senior citizen, her 20-something son, a toddler in a buggy and me but I think it made me realise that this might be something important Heck, I even wore a dress!
We were welcomed in the Long Gallery by Pam Cameron DUP who handed over to Dr. Arlene Cassidy MBE and Shirelle Stewart. My first impression of this was that it was great to see Autism NI and the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland working alongside each other when it is evident to autism parents that Health and Education Services can't manage to do this effectively.
I listened carefully as they outlined how the Autism Act NI 2011 had put into legislation a range of strategies to reduce waiting lists and help families access services for their children and adults, including in education and employment, only to fail. Who'd trust a politician?
Then there were the case studies. Gemma Doherty spoke about her family situation; A P1 teacher whose health had suffered while she juggled work with being a carer. She spoke of the locks on her doors and I really wanted to speak to her because it sounded like we were living parallel lives.
Next came a lady who spoke of her experiences of discrimination and bullying, how being a carer is saving the government mega-bucks because a parent will never give up on their child no matter how hard life is. One of her scenarios reminded me of the irate tourist who very loudly and publicly admonished Houdini on our family holiday in Menorca and how we haven't had a proper holiday since.
Finally, we met Georgia Grainger who had stood as a Green Party candidate in the recent election. She was diagnosed with Aspergers aged 19, has completed an English degree and is seeking employment in a field that isn't the stereotypical ICT. Her ability to talk about Equality and Human Rights made me feel optimistic about the future of my own aspie.
And that was that. The conclusion being that the new executive must do better to ensure good quality of life, opportunities and support to all those affected by autism. Exactly what every parent in Northern Ireland has known since their family member became one of the "1 in 50!"
So as I drove the sunny M3 home, I began to mull over what I had heard today and began to realise that I still had many unanswered questions. Who was actually present? I didn't notice any of the "big-hitting MLAs" in that room. Were the ministers for Health or Education even there? How beneficial is it for MLAs to be present and then, leave to attend their other meetings? Surely, if the audience was mostly parents, were the two biggest autism charities in Northern Ireland simply "preaching to the converted?"
Mostly, I'd like to know how exactly do you make the executive accountable for reneging on their promises? How do you get the necessary funding when the education budget alone is to be cut by £22 million? Support for disabilities didn't feature on a single election flyer that graced my letterbox. I can only watch with interest to see how it all unfolds.