Coulter welcomes Celtic Nations Autism Move
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Health Spokesman, has said the restoration of a legislative parliament at Stormont “will greatly boost” the development of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership with Scotland and Wales.
Dr Coulter, who is the UUP Autism Ambassador with the charity and awareness group Autism Northern Ireland, noted the return of the Assembly would also see moves to have a specific Northern Ireland Autism Act as well as a special autism support centre based in the constituency “shift into top gear”.
He added: “The restoring of the power-sharing Executive on 8th May will help MLAs focus on the scale of the problem facing those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their carers.
“At the moment, more people in the Province suffer from ASD than the combined total of people who have Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Down’s Syndrome. Indeed, several hundred children in Northern Ireland are still waiting on vital primary assessment for autism.
“In this respect, I would also warmly welcome how academics from the University of Ulster teamed up with a local charity to produce a support package for parents of children with autism.
“However, the Executive also needs to develop a number of special needs communities where young adults, post 19, could live for a short time to give ageing parents or relatives some time to relax on their own and recover from the daily strains of caring for special needs adults.
“What is also urgently needed is for all the charities and organisations which support ASD sufferers and their carers to establish a united forum across Northern Ireland.
“It is vitally important that Autism NI along with the National Autistic Society and other groups are singing from the same campaigning hymn sheet. A united forum for these groups will guarantee there is no duplication of effort and funding.
“The twin goals of ensuring the Northern Ireland Autism Act becomes law as well as securing further dedicated autism centres for the Province should act as an impetus for unity among not just the autism charities and support groups, but among all MLAs irrespective of party affiliation,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.