The Irish Society for Autism recently worked with The Football Association of Ireland to create a checklist to help improve the match day experience for children with Autism.
See the article taken from their website below;
Improving match day for children with autism | Football Association of Ireland.
Kids with autism experience live football in a different way to the average supporter, so we wanted to help make their match day as enjoyable as possible.
By working closely with the Irish Society for Autism, we have created a unique match day checklist that allows young supporters with autism to follow a structured routine and have fun doing so.
Kids with autism tend to like following routines, so this checklist gives them the opportunity to catalogue every bit of their experience from when they arrive in the Aviva Stadium until when they depart.
We have also catered for kids with autism who get uncomfortable amongst large crowds and overwhelmed by big noises by providing a corporate box for a number of families for the ‘Three’ International Friendly against Iceland in June – free of charge.
Over the coming months we plan on rolling out more inititatives to help make the match day experience for kids with autism as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Below is the match day checklist…
Please support The Irish Society for Autism, by entering a team or sponsoring a hole in the Rotary Club of Navan’s Annual Golf Classic this July.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017
Congratulations to Senator James Reilly on the successful second reading of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017.
Members of the Irish Society for Autism were in the Seanad gallery last night, Wednesday 17th May 2017, to support Senator Reilly and to hear tribute and support from his fellow senators from all parties. When this bill is finally passed it will give hope and security to all people with ASD and their families.
A great day for Senator Reilly and his family, a great day for the future of people with ASD. Ireland will at last fulfil the wishes expressed by the European Parliament when they approved the European Charter of Rights for People with Autism.
It points out that people with autism should have the same rights enjoyed by all EU citizens where such are appropriate and in the best interest of people with autism; these rights should be enhanced and enforced by appropriate legislation in each member state and include;
A. The right to live independently;
B. The right to representation and involvement as far as possible in decisions affecting their future;
C. The right to accessible and appropriate education, housing, assistance and support services;
D. The right to freedom from fear, threat and abusive treatment;
Dr. Pat Matthews.
Executive Director.
Irish Society for Autism.
For further information on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017, please refer to the Oireactas website here.
