North Tipp child loses out over autism delay

A child in North Tipperary that was due to be assessed for autism missed out on an ASD school place due to the chronic waiting list in the Mid-West.

Limerick Senator Maria Byrne, who was dealing with the case, has called on Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath to deal with delays that families in the Mid-West are experiencing in getting their children assessed for autism under the Assessment of Need Process.

Senator Byrne said: “The HSE have informed me that due to the unprecedented number of referrals in 2017 there has been difficulty in completing assessments within the required timeframe. I have asked the Minister to ensure that employees of the HSE that are involved in the Assessment of Need Process, whether it be psychologists, speech & language therapists and occupational therapists, who may be sick or on maternity leave, be replaced for the duration in which they are on leave.

“Delays in accessing these services are resulting in children losing out on places in ASD units in national schools because they are not assessed in the appropriate timeframe of 12 weeks,” Senator Byrne said.

“For example, one case that I have been dealing with in particular was a child in North Tipperary that was due to be assessed in August 2017. However this was delayed and, as a consequence, he lost his place in the local ASD unit because another child was assessed before him.”

Senator Byrne said the minister noted that this case was unacceptable as every child has a right to education, particularly children with disabilities.

“Minister McGrath confirmed to me there has been an annual increase in the number of applications for assessment since the commencement of the Act in 2009,” she said. “In the Mid West Region there were 342 applications for assessment received in 2017, of which 237 assessments reports were completed on time. In 2016, 362 assessment applications were received of which 222 assessment reports were completed on time.

“I am deeply concerned at the amount of children waiting for an assessment. Minister McGrath has assured me he will be bringing the issue of these delays directly to the Minister of Health Simon Harris TD and the top officials within the HSE,” Senator Byrne said.