"The true measure of a civilised society is how it responds to its most vulnerable and challenged citizens".
This is according to Senator Joe O'Reilly who spoke about the 'Deinstitutionalisation Of Persons With Disabilities' at the Council of Europe last week.
He said that psychiatric treatment is, and has been, the 'Cinderella of Medicine' as far as he was concerned.
The local senator highlighted how integration, housing, employment and appropriate supports, were fundamental to deinstitutionalisation going forward.
He also pointed to the "progress" that has been made in diagnosing and providing appropriate education for children with Autism.
But, he added, more ASD units, sensory rooms, and sensory gardens were needed in schools.