Wait times for learning support blow out further

Children with learning difficulties are missing out on critical support as the waiting list for preschoolers needing specialist help continues to grow.

Average wait times across the country have increased again despite the Government’s $21.5 million investment last year and an expectation the money would help to halve waitlists for Early Intervention Services (EIS).

Parents in Wellington are waiting, on average, almost six months – the longest across the country and 72 days more than the national average of 106.32 days.

It means children under five in need of developmental or learning support due to a disability, communication, or behavioural difficulties are missing out on crucial services such as access to psychologists and speech-language therapists.

Fresh figures have emerged showing wait times across the country have increased since October last year when the average national wait time was 99 days. After Wellington’s wait list Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatu have the worst average waiting times, followed closely by the Bay of Plenty.

Parent to Parent Wellington regional coordinator Sue Trueman said despite the Government’s cash injection and attempt at recruiting more specialist workers, ‘‘we’re not seeing the effects’’.

Trueman has at least five conversations every day with frustrated parents who aren’t able to access the support and information they need in time.

Not only was there a delay in EIS access but also assessment services – which diagnose children – and support services in primary school years, she said.

Early Childhood Education Minister Tracey Martin said there had been an increase in the numbers needing access to EIS but there weren’t enough specialists to meet that demand.

However, Martin was hopeful further initiatives would alleviate the pressure wait lists had on families, which she expected to take effect by the start of 2020.