Autism Centre Opened In Dublin

Ireland’s first dedicated autism centre has been opened in Dublin by former Boyzone star Keith Duffy. The TV personality`s daughter Mia, six, was diagnosed with the condition some years ago and as patron of Irish Autism Action, he has been a long-standing campaigner for better autism facilities.

The Solas Centre in Clontarf will reduce the waiting time for diagnosis from one year to three months, and is expected to wipe out waiting times in the long-term. It comes at a time when the numbers of Irish children living with the condition is on the rise.

“The opening of the Solas Centre is a great achievement that will immediately impact positively on the lives of children and their families currently waiting for diagnosis,” said chairman of Irish Autism Action, Cormac Rennick. “Autism is a serious life-long condition that is marked by difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people.”

The Centre will provide all-island support for the thousands of families coping with autism.