Hazel has her say in meeting with Taoiseach
Ballyhaunis student Hazel Nolan (left) with Adam Harris, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Amy Nolan from Galway.
A Mayo teenager was among those who met with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings to mark the launch of AsIAm’s Same Chance Report 2026, which highlights growing concern about misinformation surrounding Autism in Ireland.
17-year-old Hazel Nolan was part of a special meet-and-greet with the Taoiseach alongside members of AsIAm’s Autistic Youth Advisory Panel and leadership team.
Led by AsIAm CEO Adam Harris, the group discussed firsthand the challenges facing Ireland’s Autistic community and the importance of delivering on the Government’s commitment to legislate for a National Autism Strategy.
The meeting took place following the launch of new research by AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, which found that almost seven in ten Autistic people and families (68%) believe misinformation about Autism has increased in the past year. The findings are contained in the Same Chance Report 2026, based on the experiences of more than 1,600 Autistic people and families across Ireland, and highlight the ongoing barriers many Autistic people face across education, healthcare, employment and community life.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with AsIAm’s leadership team and ambassadors from AsIAm’s Autistic Youth Advisory Panel, including Hazel Nolan, a student at Ballyhaunis Community School, where they discussed firsthand the challenges facing Ireland’s Autistic community and the importance of delivering on the Government’s commitment to legislate for a National Autism Strategy.
The report highlights growing concern about misinformation surrounding Autism, particularly as misleading information continues to circulate online and internationally. Recent global debates, including renewed claims about the causes of Autism and unproven ‘cures’ promoted on social media, have added to confusion and stigma faced by Autistic people and their families.
The research also found that 91% of respondents do not believe the Government is doing enough to tackle misinformation about Autism.
Alongside these concerns, the research points to significant structural barriers across Irish society, including long waiting lists for disability supports, financial pressures and a lack of inclusive community spaces.
