Mother takes fight for autistic son’s ‘lifeline’ benefit to the Dáil

Helen Fahey is taking the fight for her autistic son’s “lifeline” benefit to the Dáil this week.

An allowance for her son Alex, 5, was cut in January, as were countless others since control of the Domiciliary Care Allowance switched from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection.

Helen is one of three mothers making a presentation in the Dáil, and who are seeking a judicial review of the decision-making process on the DCA.

“My son is autistic and is under constant supervision as he would be a danger to himself if he was not,” she said. “He has severe social problems; a speech delay; he is not toilet-trained. He will be six in August but he still needs help dressing himself and doing basic things, but for the department it all comes down to wording. Someone is making a decision based on interpretation of words when they haven’t even seen my son.”

Helen had been receiving payment for two years. “In November last year, I got a notice it was going to be reviewed, and that I needed to submit latest assessment and paediatrician reports.”

In January, however, she got a letter telling her the payment had stopped as, according to the department, Alex doesn’t need more care than other boys his age.

“My doctor wrote another letter arguing strongly against it and completely supports the application. My son also has a sleep disorder as he has no set routine; he’s on medication, yet someone who has never seen him is making a decision like this. We are appealing, but that can take up to 14 months,” she said.

Irish Autism Action has an open meeting at 8pm tonight at the Red Cow Hotel to plan a national campaign on the issue.