Sir, – As a parent of children with developmental needs, I read with interest and empathy Ruary Martin’s letter (“Where is the accountability regarding child disability services?”, September 14th).
We adopted our children in 2010 and 2016 following rigorous assessments that rightly sought to prove we could provide for our children financially, emotionally, educationally, socially and that we would seek every support our children needed.
Our eldest child is almost 14 years old and needs input from speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry and psychology.
We are grateful for the supports he has received from HSE Teams, Community Disability Network Teams and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) but the fact remains that the vast majority of input from the age of three years has been privately funded.
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Our seven-year-old son needs input from speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and dietetics.
He was last seen by a speech and language therapist (HSE) over a year ago. He remains on a waiting list for follow-up with no indication as to when he will be seen.
He was last seen by an occupational therapist in the HSE over a year ago. He remains on a waiting list for follow-up with no indication as to when he will be seen.
He was referred to a dietitian three years ago and we received a letter a few weeks ago offering us a Zoom workshop. The letter emphasises this is not an appointment and should we not attend this workshop, he will be removed from the waiting list.
Who is accountable?
We have made every attempt to provide for our children.
Camhs are doing their best but are not an autism-specific service.
The children’s disability network teams tell us they have many vacancies and are making every attempt to fill them.
Primary care services tell us of increasing demands but if we have specific concerns, we can call them.
We can express concern to heads of services but where do they go? It is not surprising that parents and families resort to a legal process that exacts tolls personally and financially.
Our failure to provide for our children and adults with developmental needs (and comorbid mental health difficulties) ultimately exacts a toll on individuals, families and taxpayers.
Better support them now than pay for redress boards later. – Yours, etc,
MARIA DUNNE,
Dublin 4.