The Impartial Reporter, 23rd April, 2009

Noel Bannon, a 21-year-old Enniskillen man who has autism, has had to live across the water for the last 10 years because nowhere in Northern Ireland could meet his special needs.

Noel's parents, Geraldine and Frank would love to bring him home but are faced with virtually insurmountable obstacles.

"Noel began Daldorch School in East Ayrshire, Scotland, which is run by the National Autistic Society, in 2000 after his placement in Northern Ireland broke down and he has remained there since," said Geraldine.

Examining the Experiences and Information Needs of Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Before and After the Diagnosis

On Tue, Feb 12, 2008 at 5:48 PM, Tara wrote:

Dear Parent,

The 4th Facing Autism 2009 - Ireland conference. The conference theme will be Effectively Educating for Life. The speakers will be: Gina Green, Bill Ahern, Bobby Newman, Karen Wagner, Neil Martin (all BCBA).

The conference is organised by the Queen's University Belfast, PEAT and the University of Ulster. For more information, contact: Lynsay mulcahy - PEAT, 028 9032 4882, email: info@peatni.org

Venue: Europa Hotel, Belfast

The United Nations has declared April 2nd World Autism Awareness Day, to increase and develop world knowledge of autism. By bringing together autism organisations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to make this possible.

World Autism Awareness Day

2 April is World Autism Awareness Day. To mark the day, and to encourage both awareness and support for people who have, or care for someone with, autism, there will be a rally on the steps of Parliament Buildings, Belfast, on 31 March.

'Stand Up for Autism' Rally Northern Ireland on the steps of Parliament Buildings, Stormont, 31 March 2009 (12.30pm - 1.30pm).

Show our MLAs the real Faces of Autism

Open Your Eyes To Autism March, London UK, Saturday March 28th, 2009 at 2pm.
www.openyoureyestoautism.com

The Treating Autism 2nd International Biomedical Conference and Exhibition will be held in the Bournemouth International Centre March 12th to 14th 2009. See: http://www.treatingautism.co.uk/events for more details.

Roscommon County Youth Theatre takes to the stage with "Understanding Marcus"

AFTER THE success of 'Car Show' last January in Roscommon and again at Boyle Arts Festival in the summer, Roscommon County Youth Theatre returns to Roscommon Arts Centre with a new production, 'Understanding Marcus' by Veronica Coburn.

The performance will take place on 5th and 6th December, 2008, with a special schools show at 12 noon on the Friday and two 8 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday for the general public.

Upgrading of services for children with Autism sought

THE NEED to upgrade and update services for children with Autism throughout County Roscommon was raised at a recent meeting of the HSE West Regional Health Forum in Galway.

Cllr Eugene Murphy called on the HSE to outline the services available to children with autism in County Roscommon. The HSE pointed out that children on the Autistic Spectrum were provided with services through two different service streams in County Roscommon.

Story: Western People Newspaper, April 2nd 2008

Hope of progress on autism school in Kiltimagh

EFFORTS to open a special school in Mayo for children with autism could make significant progress next month. Mayo Autism Action has renovated a building which it rents from the IRD in Kiltimagh. Everything has been ready since January and the group is now hoping that an American expert in autism eduction might take up management of the new school in May.