Clondalkin mother slams lack of support in autism cases
By Maurice Garvey
A MOTHER of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has blasted the lack of services for the disability in the Clondalkin area.
Greenfort resident Lisa Coleman established the Clondalkin Autism Mammies group after discovering the lack of supports in place for her son Mason (9), who has ASD.
“He was diagnosed under two, but I had to fight tooth and nail,” said Lisa.
“After seeing a psychologist in Cherry Orchard Hospital, I received a letter in the post, which basically said figure it out on your own. I had no information on what to do.
“From talking to other mammies in the area whose kids had autism, that’s how the group started. The priest in Rowlagh gave us the keys to a room.
“We mostly do it on Facebook now – give each other advice and organise our own activities. I’ve a starter pack for new parents.”
Lisa says families with autism children in Clondalkin find it almost impossible to receive an assessment and diagnosis, and hence, qualify for the supports the child needs.
She continued: “When you apply to Cherry Orchard Hospital for assessment, they say you need to do a six-month parenting course, which just kicks it down the line.
If you can’t get your kid’s name on the waiting list, there is no diagnosis. Most people don’t have a clue about how bad the lack of services are until it lands on your door.”
Sinn Féin councillor Mark Ward had a motion passed this week at South Dublin County Council, calling on Health Minister Simon Harris to eliminate the waiting list for children with ASD.
“Early diagnosis is key to the child’s development,” said Cllr Ward.
“An independent assessment of needs is required in order to get a child diagnosed. After this parents will receive an assessment report detailing their child’s health and educational needs.
He continued: “An assessment of needs is broken up into three parts, speech and language, occupational therapy, and psychology assessments. Parents are waiting up to nine months for speech and language and OT assessments. It can take up to a further two years for parents to receive a diagnosis and valuable time is lost for their children.”
Cllr Ward says parents have been getting letters back from the Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAHMS) in Cherry Orchard, directing them to complain regarding the length of time they have to wait.
“The HSE is basically advising parents to complain as they know that they cannot provide the services that are expected – this is a scandal of the highest order,” said Cllr Ward.
Despite not receiving “one speech and language or OT lesson”, Lisa feels she was lucky to get Mason into a school in Stillorgan, via the Beechpark Service in Tallaght.
The Echo contacted the HSE on Wednesday evening, but they were unable to reply by the time of going to print
