Madam, - Far be it from me to try to displace letters concerning subjects of national importance such as rugby, but I cannot help envying some of your correspondents who can find no greater issues on which to vent their outrage.
I am the father of a four-year-old boy with Down's syndrome. In August 2006 his service provider recommended that he be assessed for autism. Now, over a year later, the assessment has not yet begun.
Without this assessment, he cannot receive services which may be to his benefit. Indeed, the level of overall intervention he has received has been minimal and in no way commensurate with his needs.
What should truly bring shame upon this nation is the almost complete lack of services available for people with special needs. It is great to see your front-page picture of the opening ceremony of the Special Olympic Games, but such an event can easily lead people to believe that all is well.
Not all is well - at least for us, as we struggle with a boy who, at this most vital and receptive time of his life, has been conveniently forgotten by the State. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN DAVENPORT, Brookville, Ashbourne, Co Meath.