Taoiseach’s brother blast at TD over autism claims
Charity boss Adam warns of ‘dangerous misinformation’
TAOISEACH Simon Harris’ brother has slammed Independent TD Mattie Mcgrath for saying the “explosion of autism” must be examined.
During a Dail debate on Thursday on progressing special education, the Tipperary TD said he is very concerned that “something is causing” autism, because when he was in school it was not an issue.
He added: “There must be a need for understanding the explosion of autism.
“I will not make little of any one boy or girl who has it. It is so tough and early diagnosis is so important but we must examine why.
“The last time I raised this here I was berated by a certain Mr Harris, not the politician, but the other guy from ASIAM.
“I think Adam is his name. We have to be honest.
“My late brother put the seeds and thoughts in my head at that time, God rest him.
“He was very concerned something was causing it, because when I was going to school and certainly some others here were, we did not see these issues. There were some issues but nothing like the amount there are now.”
Adam Harris, the CEO of autism charity ASIAM and the brother of the Taoiseach, slammed Deputy Mcgrath on X, formerly Twitter, for these comments.
He wrote: “Is it any wonder the stigma that autistic people suffer when such dangerous misinformation is spouted in the Dail?
“Never mind explaining the right language or facts but dog whistling to conspiracy theorists at autistic people’s expense is below the belt.”