Pauline McGarry from Sheepmoor in Dublin has two children with autism and says she and her family are worn down with the constant battles for help and support. “I have done course after course to try and help Jayden and Jason, who is 15, but at the end of the day I am not a qualified Occupational Therapist, and I can only do so much,” she said.
“Generally, if you keep a child from school, you run the risks of social services calling to your door, but if you have a child with Autism, you’re left alone to fend for yourselves,” she says.
Two of her children, Jason who is 15 and Jaden who’s just four, are living with autism, with Jaden also having a severe speech delay.
“There is no help in this country for a child of Disability, how can my Jaden and other children with disabilities meet their full potential when your told your son will get his first appointment with the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in 2029?” she asked.
“Jaden will be 9 years old when he gets his first appointment. He is on the Blakestown list and I have his initial assessment on diagnosis which recommended that he have early intervention as soon as possible.” she said.
“Jaden was diagnosed two years ago. He was seen by Primary Care and then we faced the ridiculous situation where he was taken off that list and put on the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) as he can’t be on two lists,” Ms McGarry said.
“I totally understand that but wonder why he was left so long on the Primary Care list when it was plain that he should be on the CDNT list. He lost out on about 7 months of help because of this. There is absolutely no joined up thinking whatsoever and our children and wider families are bearing the brunt of this mis management”.
Aontú Councillor, Ellen Troy, who is endeavouring to assist the family, said: “My heart breaks for the McGarry family. I have spoken to them at length and I have witnessed the love and care they show Jaden. I saw Jason, who himself has Autism, trying to help his little brother Jaden to speak. It is a downright disgrace that this family and others like them are in a constant battle with bureaucrats to draw down the help and supports that are their children’s constitutional rights .
“What a shameless Government we have,” she said.”They can’t manage the country’s economic wealth ; we don’t have anything near the services children with Autism need though the coffers are full. The terrible thing is that the families are running on empty as they fight day after day on behalf of their children. It truly sickens me that children are being left behind and left down so badly despite the nodding heads and the sympathetic utterances by Government Ministers”
Ms McGarry said that “Children with Autism and their families are being placed in a no-win position, no matter what we do, we’re on our own, it’s brutal. I have done course after course to try and help Jayden and Jason, who is 15, but at the end of the day I am not a qualified Occupational Therapist, and I can only do so much”.
The little boy’s mother said that Jaden has begun to stutter as he attempts to “get his words out “.
“This is new and is so painful to see. He is frustrated as he is trying to communicate and it’s so avoidable; had he been seen, he would have received the help and support he needs”.
“When he does get to go to school next year, the other little kids won’t be able to understand him and I dread this as he will be further isolated. As his Mammy, this absolutely breaks my heart ”.
“Jason who is now 15 will be an adult by the time he is seen. You couldn’t make it up”.