‘We’re autistic, not stupid & understand so much... listen to us’ Brave Fiacre tells TV show how he wants to be treated as equal

and dates is exceptional. Academically he is way beyond a lot of people.

“But the practicalities of the exam, the idea of writing an essay through RPM would not be practical.”

Even answering a couple of easy questions could take Fiacre 10 minutes to tap out letter by letter and he gets frustrated.

He was diagnosed with autism at three when he was not developing like his two sisters and was not speaking.

Mum Carmel said: “He never made the breakthrough in communication.”

Dad Pat said Fiacre could not communicate in any shape or form until they started RPM in September 2013. Sister Rebekah said: “You would be talking to him all the time but you never knew if he was taking it in or listening.

CHANGES

“Now we know his favourite food, his favourite colour, what song he wants us to play whereas before we had to guess.”

Asked how he had changed since learning RPM, Fiacre said: “I let the thoughts in my head seep to the letter board and tell people reasons, beliefs and opinions so each one can understand my world.” Fiacre’s dream was to be in the same class as his fellow pupils although his disability meant he mainly had to be taught alone.

After rejoining them for one class he said: “This is my time to work, to be a totally normal student tasting what others experience the whole time.

“I take in all the knowledge. Every day is a struggle to be fast enough to do my exam. That estranges me from each other boy in my class who can tell the answers I try to tell.

“Some people don’t know their easy life. They complain about trivial stuff. I wouldn’t be so ungrateful.

“You were born to strive, to achieve your best. I am trying to do that with the support of my family, my teachers and [special needs assistant] Cathy and all of the people who believe in me.”

Fiacre also loves horse riding and the documentary shows him squealing with delight looking at his animal galloping around a field.

He said: “My world always becomes better when I ride, care free, seeing a world outside. A horse sees everyone the same.”

Autism and Me airs on RTE One tomorrow at 9.35pm.

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