The Helplink Show April 2019
\xa0Galway Autism Patnership Coordinator \u2013 Aisling ColreavyAisling has been with GAP since April 2017GAP was formed in 2011 by a group of proactive parents and adults on the autism spectrum to help each other with information and general support. Our membership consists of parents, people on the autism spectrum, family members, teachers, volunteers and those working with people who are living with ASD and other additional needs e.g. Intellectual Disability.\xa0One of the objectives of GAP is to provide information for families and individuals living with ASD. This ranges from general ASD information and interventions to building an extensive local knowledge which is beneficial to our members. This includes road mapping the \u201cpost-diagnostic\u201d route, services available for those living with ASD and activities such as sports, recreation, etc. which may add quality to our members lives and their families.The Irish Autism Society - Denis SextonThrough information services, we have helped thousands of people, parents, families, educators, students and health sector workers. In addition to our phone-line, we have an extensive library available where books can be rented or purchased.The Irish Society for Autism believes that research is vitally important to improve the quality of life of people with Autism and their families.Over the years our organisation has conducted research in numerous areas relating to Autism and will continue to do so into the future. You can view our research studies below. You can also find information regarding various research topics and studies being undertaken by other individuals and organisations.Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. The ability to develop friendships is impaired, as is their capacity to understand other people\u2019s feelings.\xa0 All people with Autism have impairments in social interaction social communication and imagination. This is referred to as the \u2018triad of impairments\u2019. \u201cAutism is a severe disorder of communication, socialisation and flexibility in thinking and behaviour, which involves a different way of processing information and of seeing the world\u201d \u2013 Jordan, 1997.The generally accepted rate of prevalence of people with Autism is approximately 1 in 100. However, in 2016 a policy advice report by the National Council for Special Education on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Schools, noted that 1 in 65, or 1.5%, of the school going population in Ireland had a diagnosis of Autism.On December 18th 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, declaring that April 2nd of each year will mark World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). The declaration expressed deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of Autism in Children in all regions of the world and the consequential developmental challenges. It called on all countries, UN bodies, international organisations, and non-governmental groups to take steps to raise awareness of Autism.