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AsIAm

AsIAm
TypeNon-profit
IndustryAutism education and support
FoundedAugust 21, 2014; 11 years ago (2014-08-21) in Dublin, Ireland
FounderAdam Harris
Headquarters
Blackrock, Dublin
,
Ireland
Area served
Nationwide
OwnerAdam Harris
Number of employees
>60 [1]
Websiteasiam.ie

AsIAm is an Irish autism charity — sometimes given the title of Ireland's National Autism Charity[2][3][4] — founded by Adam Harris, brother of Simon Harris.[5] Adam is himself autistic.[5] The organisation was founded on 21 August 2014.[6] AsIAm has an official policy of at least 50% of its board members being autistic.[7]

History

Support

AsIAm provides support such as a legal clinic and lists autism-friendly jobs with accredited employers.[8]

Activism

Education

In 2014 AsIAm published guides for autistic students in coping with challenges they face in school.[9]

In 2019 AsIAm warned of a crisis where autistic children and those with special needs were being excluded from school.[10] They found that half of parents of autistic children had been waiting more than a year for a suitable school place.[10] Hundreds of children were being excluded from school entirely.[10]

In May 2022 AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland called for emergency legislation to ensure the rights of children with special needs to education.[11] Nearly 270 of these children were autistic.[11]

Employment

See also: Employment of people with autism

In October 2023 Debbie Merrigan of AsIAm said that the unemployment rate of autistic people in Ireland was 85%.[12] She also said "That is quite devastating, I get calls weekly from people who may have master’s degrees or PhDs, or those who are school leavers, but they all have the same story – ‘I can’t get a job; what’s wrong with me?’ And there's nothing wrong with them – it's the attitude of the employers."[12]

AsIAm works with employers to make interview and training processes more autism-friendly.[12]

Other advocacy

In September 2025 AsIAm criticised Danny Healy-Rae over his comments on autism during a Dáil debate when he said "I am wondering what it is, and I have asked this question here before in different debates. Is there something causing it? Is it lack of some vitamins or what is it? We need to address that part of it as well because there could be something that is causing it."[13]

AsIAm criticised the remarks as unhelpful and misinformed.[13] AsIAm said "We would ask all Oireachtas members to think about the impact of their words before they use their platform to add to the pervasive stigma, myths and hurtful stereotypes that not only cause hurt but create barriers to diagnosis and support and pose broader public health concerns."[13] AsIAm also pointed out that autism is a natural variation in human nervous systems and that there are not more autistic people, but more people seeking diagnoses.[13]

References

  1. ^ Medcalf, David (31 July 2025). "Adam Harris talks life with autism and turning the tide on inclusion". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Minister for Disability and Integration & AsIAm – Ireland's National Autism Charity launch public transport initiative". National Transport Authority. 14 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Presentation to AsIAm - Ireland's National Autism Charity". Decision Support Service. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Autism Acceptance Month: Irish Stars Share Their Most Treasured Possession For AsIAm Autism Charity". The Gloss. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  5. ^ a b Fennell, Hilary (3 October 2020). "This Much I Know: Adam Harris".
  6. ^ "Autism - Today with Seán O'Rourke". RTÉ Radio. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  7. ^ O'Connor, Brendan (20 June 2026). "Adam Harris: Why I'm leaving 'AsIAm'". RTÉ Radio 1. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Deanna (18 September 2024). "Special Reports Making a difference for disability". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  9. ^ Griffin, Dan (21 August 2014). "School survival guides published for children with autism". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b c O'Kelly, Emma (8 April 2019). "Autism charity warns of children being excluded from schools". RTÉ News. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  11. ^ a b O'Brien, Carl (30 May 2022). "Almost 270 children with autism do not have appropriate school places - survey". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  12. ^ a b c Barron, Danielle (13 October 2023). "Neurodivergence at work: Employers starting to recognise the benefits". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d Hurley, Sandra (18 September 2025). "Healy-Rae strongly criticised over Dáil remarks linking autism to vitamins". RTÉ News. Retrieved 21 November 2025.

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