12-year-old Tipperary autism campaigner is delighted with her Leaving Certificate result

12-year-old Tipperary autism campaigner Cara Darmody received her Leaving Certificate results  today and was delighted with how well she did in the maths exam.

She took both ordinary level papers at her national school in Ardfinnan in June to promote autism awareness.

Cara became the youngest person in Ireland to pass Leaving Cert maths.

"It's such a relief to actually get my result. I tried to distract myself over the summer so that I wouldn't think about it too much, but it was really hard not to. Taking on a Leaving Cert exam was probably a step too far, but I've now shown what can be done with pure hard work and dedication. To be honest, there was even a little bit of anger in the pot, as I get so upset with how this Government treats children with autism by leaving them on waiting lists for years & years and by not giving them the therapies and services that they need."

Coincidently, 97% is the exact same mark that Cara achieved last year when she sat the Junior Cycle maths exam for charity. "I think that 97 is now my favourite number - it's definitely my new lucky number!!"

Thanking people, Cara said "I just want to say the biggest thank you to everyone who supported me on this amazing journey as it certainly wasn't easy. Thanks a million to anyone who donated to my fundraiser and for helping all of those children who have been left to rot on HSE waiting lists."

"And I have to give a special mention to my Dad who had to actually teach me - thanks Dad, you're the best teacher in the whole wide world!! And thanks to Mam for always minding me."

Cara then said that this won't be the end of her campaign for better services in the autism world, just because she has her result: "Oh no way - I'll be dreaming up some other amazing idea really soon to keep the pressure on these politicians. That's part of the problem, they know that people will eventually go away. But that's not going to happen here, I'll be back in Leinster House in a few weeks seeking a full update of what their doing. In fact, it's now my ambition to become Taoiseach one day, but I'll do the job for free. So the folks in Leinster House had better get used to my mug being in the building!"

Cara actually received her result on her first day in secondary school, the Loreto Secondary School in Clonmel, where she will now study for the next 6 years. "I'm so looking forward to secondary school. Yeah, it's definitely going to be an amazing memory getting a Leaving cert result on your first day! But my priorities now will be making new friends, and keeping all of my sports & hobbies up."

Cara's Dad Mark said: "I can't tell you enough how proud Noelle and I are of her. She invented this journey herself and to get 97% in a Leaving Certificate exam at just 12 years old, all to help others, is just an amazing achievement."

"Cara lives in a world where she has two severely autistic brothers. She could play the victim if she wanted to, but instead has chosen to be the most inspirational person I have ever met."

"Doing the Junior Cycle exam last year was really hard, but this year really was like climbing Mount Everest. But she somehow managed to get to the summit with 97%."

"Being her teacher was probably the best thing I've ever done - Cara is some craic to be around and the fun we had was just incredible. She's also got to meet thousands of amazing people on this journey. Thanks a million to everyone for the good wishes, the kind words on the street, and for the incredible kindness shown to her, we are just so grateful to everyone."