Struggling to make sense of chaos: how the pandemic has affected life with autism
Children on the autism spectrum thrive on consistency, structure and routine. Helen O Callaghan looks at how the unpredictable pandemic has affected their development Tommy and Margaret Lowndes with their sons Noah, 7, and Elliot, 3 who both have autism. Photograph Moya Nolan
Fri, 02 Apr, 2021 - 06:00
Helen O’Callaghan
Five of Sharon McCarthy’s six children have autism. Ranging in age from five to 24, the oldest has just qualified as a speech and language therapist.
“He’s phenomenal – it’s because of his own experience with different autism supports across the years,” says Carrigaline-based McCarthy, who lectures on autism-specific courses in Cork College of Commerce and trains companies in autism-centric workplace practices.