Ms Jill McCanney:

The learning support and assessment service provides direct assessment and support for autistic children and young people referred by the steering group in Ireland. The centre has developed an inclusive wraparound model of support for autistic children and young people that integrates support in the school, in the home and in the community.

I will move on to the paragraph after that. We already fulfil many of the points set out in the in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill in the following ways. We provide transdisciplinary assessment and support for autistic children and young people, including access to educational specialists, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Recommendations from all professionals are then integrated into a single learning support plan, addressing both educational and health needs across school, home and community settings. We deliver a person-centred model, ensuring the wishes of the young person are communicated as part of the assessment process and that these remain integral to the support plan developed for the young person. The needs of the family are prioritised throughout the ten-month period of support through weekly home visits, bespoke training and direct support for siblings. We support the young person and their family in accessing community services, including respite care and local facilities. Throughout the period of support, we establish links with services relevant to the young person, striving towards an ongoing network of support from the education, health and voluntary sectors. Outcomes are measured throughout the ten-month referral period, collating feedback from the young person, their family, their school and other professionals. This then contributes into the body of evidence used to develop models of best practice for autistic children and young people.

With the support of the Department of Education, the centre is uniquely positioned to share best practice with relevant stakeholders following the passing of the Bill.