Mother of autistic child waiting for 14 months for his needs assessment

By Mary Dennehy

THE mother of a toddler with autism who has been waiting 14 months for an assessment of needs will be voicing her concerns as part of a public demonstration in Tallaght this Monday – which is calling for “urgent action” for children and young adults with special needs.

This April 3 at 10am, Vanessa Murphy will take part in the March For Our Children protest which – started by Tallaght mothers – is being staged simultaneously in more than 12 towns and cities nationwide – with the families of children and young people with special needs focusing their demonstrations at local HSE offices.

Rathcoole parent Sarah Jane Clarke sparked the public march after a post she wrote on an autism parenting site, about how her son is being let down by the system and living without intervention, inspired parents in similar situations – and the Enough is Enough campaign was born.

As part of the movement, a series of marches have been organised nationwide – with families in Dublin encouraged to take part in the Tallaght march at 10am this Monday at HSE building, Chamber House.

Clondalkin mother Vanessa Murphy, who, alongside Sarah Jane and St Maelruain’s resident Sharon Condren, has spearheaded the campaign, told The Echo: “My son Adam is two years and eight months and still has not been seen by anybody in the HSE.

“I have four children, so I knew there was something wrong with Adam since he was around 13 months he suddenly stopped talking.

“There was no support from the HSE, so I had to bring Adam for a private diagnosis, after which I was told he has autism.”

Despite applying for an assessment of needs with the HSE 14 months ago, Adam has yet to be seen – even though under the Disability Act 2005 the assessment must start within three months of the completed application being received by the HSE.

The assessment, outside of ‘exceptional cases’, must also be completed within three months of commencing.

Vanessa said: “The HSE has not met Adam, and I did make a complaint that his assessment was not done in the recommended time frame by law – a complaint which was upheld.

“Early intervention is vital for children with special needs and it’s a worry every day for parents not knowing what is going to happen.

“Adam has no words and we’re currently having a huge problem with food refusal, so now we have the added worry of nutrition.

“I am trying to help Adam myself and have done a training course with the HSE early intervention team and attend a support group.

“I was also paying €300 a week for nine hours of private therapy but I just couldn’t continue to pay it.”

She added: “This march on Monday is to basically highlight the fact that there is a lack of services all over the country.

“There is no intervention or continuity with teams, despite what the HSE might be saying.

“Families are constantly fighting the HSE, everything is a struggle . . . there is nothing easy about disability in this country.”

A petition calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to take “urgent action” has also been started in support of “the infants and young adults left on lists in every corner of the country, without intervention, therapy, assessments and care”.

The Echo contacted the HSE but a reply was not received in time for print.

Members of the community are encouraged to take part in the march this Monday, April 3, from 10am to 12 noon. The demonstration will be staged at Chamber House, which lies near County Hall, before moving on to the local office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone TD, in Tallaght village.

Visit the March For Our Children Facebook page HERE.