Had an autistic and disabled man received continuous appropriate education and therapies as a child, it was likely he would now have better physical health, communication and life skills and control over his movement, a US expert on autism told the High Court yesterday.
Dr Margaret Creedon, a clinical psychologist based in Chicago, said she believed Mr Jamie Sinnott (22) "has clearly lost out" through not being given the appropriate education and therapies.
Dr Creedon was giving evidence on the fourth day of an action by Mr Sinnott and his mother, Ms Kathryn Sinnott, of Ballinhassig, Co Cork, for a declaration that the State has breached their constitutional rights by failing to provide appropriate education for Mr Sinnott, and an order directing such education be now provided.
Dr Creedon was involved in Mr Sinnott's treatment over five months in 1980 at the Dysfunctional Child Centre in Chicago, where he made substantial progress. She had prepared a formal psychological report which included recommendations for future appropriate treatment which was passed on to the relevant Irish authorities.
The hearing was adjourned for mention to December 14th.