Sir, – The attention given by The Irish Times to the shocking state of provision of speech and language therapy in recent days is welcome ("Child speech therapy services 'a lottery', says report", September 22nd).
However, the problem is, unfortunately, the tip of a very large iceberg. My GP recently told me that there is no psychologist in our area to assess children with learning or behavioural difficulties. Not a long waiting list, not pressure on resources, simply no-one in post. Many parents will make huge sacrifices to pay for the assessment and treatment their children need.
But many other parents will not be able to access the large amounts of money that such assessments cost – mostly low-income families, thus putting at-risk children potentially at further lifetime risk.
There is a clear correlation between undiagnosed (and therefore untreated) learning disabilities and poor mental health, with all that implies for individuals, families and society at large.
It really is time that we took action and pledged to ensure that all children get the supports that they need. – Yours, etc,
DANIELLE CLARKE,
Caragh Road,
Dublin 7.