Fury over shortage of autism therapists

A SHORTAGE of speech therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists to work with autistic children is having detrimental effects on their condition, parents claimed yesterday.

Dozens of families protested outside a meeting of the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB), which they say has failed to replace professionals who have moved to other jobs in the last two years.

According to the North Eastern Autism Alliance, services are worst in Cavan and Monaghan, where more than 50 autistic children live.

“These children are regressing very quickly without the intervention of therapists and psychologists,” said Alliance chairman John Nyhan.

“The situation is abysmal and we are worried that public service jobs freezes will mean they might never be replaced.”

He said professionals working with autistic children in Louth and Meath have also been leaving the health board and most families cannot afford private treatment.

“The main thing underlying the protest is that parents have to fight the whole way to get services their children are entitled to and deserve,” he said.

Following yesterday’s protest, NEHB assistant chief executive Aidan Browne acknowledged services for children with autism in the region were less than adequate.

“We have experienced particular difficulties attracting and retaining appropriately qualified personnel for the autism-specific teams,” he said.

Mr Browne said the board has advertised nationally and overseas to recruit relevant professionals and alternative models of service delivery are being explored.

“We are seeking the continued co-operation of parents in working with us to achieve this, starting with a basic minimum level of service provision which we can build on over a reasonable time frame,” he said.

The NEHB hopes the staffing and resources can be renewed within the next few months, through concerted efforts between themselves and parents.