PROTEST OVER HSE AUTISM SUPPORTS
PARENTS of autistic children in the North West are organising a protest over the lack of suitable care provided by the HSE’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, ( CAMHS).
The protest from Mail Coach Road to Nazareth House will take place on Saturday April 3rd by parents who have formed a group called ‘ Enough is Enough.’ The march will also be attended by parents whose suicidal teenage children have been put on waiting lists for CAMHS - a story highlighted in this newspaper last week. Mother of two autistic children Tanya Fletcher says she is ‘ beyond angry with CAMHS.’
“I have watched my 12- year- old boy Dylan disintegrate before my eyes. He is a shell of the child he once was. He is a very angry little boy who cannot manage his emotions. He is a loner and has become even more withdrawn. He can pull the skin off his face, head butt walls and want to hurt himself. He gets very upset and anxious.”
Her 5- year- old daughter Michaela is on a waiting list for CAMHS for 18 months. The HSE confirmed that there are staff problems, long waiting lists and 350 live cases.
“I have a nine- year- old who self- harms and a five- year- old who gets so upset she runs and hits herself off a brick wall over and over,” says mother of two Tanya Fletcher.
Her children Dylan ( 9) and Michaela ( 5) have autism and according to Tanya are not getting the help they so desperately need. Both siblings also suffer from ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Single mum Tanya who lives on the Strandhill Road says her experience with the HSE’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service ( CAMHS) has been dreadful.
Ever since her children were toddlers she has tried to get them the intervention treatments that they require but feels she has had nothing but doors shut in her face. Now she fears it may be too late for her children to have the future they deserve as with autism early intervention is crucial.
“I have been ringing CAMHS for years, begging them for help. I have been crying my eyes out down the phone, but my children are not considered a priority.
“Michaela has been on a waiting list for 18 months. Dylan, who has talked about taking his own life is still not considered a priority. He has managed to get into CAMHS but has only been seen a handful of times by different doctors with no consistency of care. They took him off his medication last year and he has not been okay since. I’m beyond angry with CAMHS because I’ve watched Dylan disintegrate in front of my eyes. He is a shell of the child he once was. He is a very angry little boy who cannot manage his emotions. He is a loner and has become even more withdrawn. He can pull the skin off his face, head butt walls and want to hurt himself. He gets very upset and anxious. It is horrible and heartbreaking as a mother to witness his moods.”
Tanya says what she needs from CAMHS is simple, consistency of care and regular therapy.
“Dylan needs regular help, not once very six months if he is lucky. His future without help scares me. Michaela also needs help but is still on a waiting list. Both of my children lash out at themselves or me. Every day is like ground hog day. There is no proper help or services for them.”
A march has been organised by a group of concerned parents called ‘ Enough is Enough’ for April 3rd to the CAMHS centre in Nazareth House. Tanya is part of that group and hopes that this collective pressure will help to improve the service.
In the meantime Tanya says she has been left with no choice but to seek private professional therapy for her children. The young mum is not working but has had to fund this therapy ‘ from her own pocket.’
She relies on her parents, Michael and Christine for support and says she does not know where she would be without them.“I don’t have a normal life. We don’t do normal things. I tried bringing Michaela to Disney on Ice last year but she ended up on the ground with her hands in her hears screaming until we left. Now we just don’t leave the house. The school help my children but CAMHS is a disgrace.”
In a statement issued last week, the HSE admit staffing and waiting lists are an issue for CAMHS.