AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Connor with mum Allison
A DAD has called for urgent changes to council funding after he was forced to fork out £420 for a private assessment for his autistic son.
Mark Austin, 43, and wife Allison, 40, are paying Therapy Life Centre, in Prittlewell Chase, Southend, to write a report which will be used to set out the support ten-year-old Connor should get at school.
The couple were originally referred to the Lighthouse Child Development Centre, in Snakes Lane, Southend, before being warned a lack of funding from Essex County Council could hold up his diagnosis.
Connor, a pupil at William Read Primary School, in Long Road, Canvey, was told two years ago he has Asperger’s syndrome, but urgently needs to be assessed again because he is experiencing sensory problems, which are linked to autism.
Mr Austin, of Mayland Avenue, Canvey, said: “He's a really intelligent boy, and I feel like they are sacrificing his future. It’s very frustrating.
“I expected this all to be pretty straight forward, but we’ve really had to fight. The main things they seem to focus on are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and physical disabilities. It feels like we’re missing out because Connor looks normal and you can’t tell anything is wrong until you get to know him.
“My mum went through her savings and gave us £100 to help out, because it's a struggle. We were asked to pay £420 just for one session.
“I’m not sure what we’re going to do about paying for follow-up sessions.
“I really feel for families who are worse off than us. We’re just trying to get the best for our son.”
Asperger’s syndrome is characterised by difficulties with interaction, communication and imagination.
People with the condition have fewer problems with speaking than others on the autism spectrum and are often of average, or above average, intelligence.
Those with autism often have sensory problems, meaning they either over-react or under-react to touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight.
We don’t expect parents to do this
THE man responsible for education in Essex insists autistic children do not miss out on the right support.
Essex county councillor Ray Gooding said: “Although correct and timely diagnosis of the autism spectrum is important, it is not necessary to have a diagnosis in order to access specific educational support.
“Access to interventions, such as the early years’ intensive provision for children with social communication difficulties (Good Beginnings), does not require a full diagnosis and the children’s needs are assessed on a range of descriptors by the education professionals.
“In regard to a medical assessment for autism/ sensory needs, this is not something an educational psychologist or specialist teacher can diagnose. Where they suspect a child or young person has this condition, they can recommend that he or she is seen by the GP, with a view to the child or young person being referred on to a paediatrician.
“The education service would never ask or expect parents to commission their own reports in relation to securing diagnosis, although, of course, some parents do choose to do this.”
SOURCE: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13715670.We_had_to_fork_out___420_for_autism_report_on_our_son/
Connor with mum Allison
A DAD has called for urgent changes to council funding after he was forced to fork out £420 for a private assessment for his autistic son.
Mark Austin, 43, and wife Allison, 40, are paying Therapy Life Centre, in Prittlewell Chase, Southend, to write a report which will be used to set out the support ten-year-old Connor should get at school.
The couple were originally referred to the Lighthouse Child Development Centre, in Snakes Lane, Southend, before being warned a lack of funding from Essex County Council could hold up his diagnosis.
Connor, a pupil at William Read Primary School, in Long Road, Canvey, was told two years ago he has Asperger’s syndrome, but urgently needs to be assessed again because he is experiencing sensory problems, which are linked to autism.
Mr Austin, of Mayland Avenue, Canvey, said: “He's a really intelligent boy, and I feel like they are sacrificing his future. It’s very frustrating.
“I expected this all to be pretty straight forward, but we’ve really had to fight. The main things they seem to focus on are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and physical disabilities. It feels like we’re missing out because Connor looks normal and you can’t tell anything is wrong until you get to know him.
“My mum went through her savings and gave us £100 to help out, because it's a struggle. We were asked to pay £420 just for one session.
“I’m not sure what we’re going to do about paying for follow-up sessions.
“I really feel for families who are worse off than us. We’re just trying to get the best for our son.”
Asperger’s syndrome is characterised by difficulties with interaction, communication and imagination.
People with the condition have fewer problems with speaking than others on the autism spectrum and are often of average, or above average, intelligence.
Those with autism often have sensory problems, meaning they either over-react or under-react to touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight.
We don’t expect parents to do this
THE man responsible for education in Essex insists autistic children do not miss out on the right support.
Essex county councillor Ray Gooding said: “Although correct and timely diagnosis of the autism spectrum is important, it is not necessary to have a diagnosis in order to access specific educational support.
“Access to interventions, such as the early years’ intensive provision for children with social communication difficulties (Good Beginnings), does not require a full diagnosis and the children’s needs are assessed on a range of descriptors by the education professionals.
“In regard to a medical assessment for autism/ sensory needs, this is not something an educational psychologist or specialist teacher can diagnose. Where they suspect a child or young person has this condition, they can recommend that he or she is seen by the GP, with a view to the child or young person being referred on to a paediatrician.
“The education service would never ask or expect parents to commission their own reports in relation to securing diagnosis, although, of course, some parents do choose to do this.”
SOURCE: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13715670.We_had_to_fork_out___420_for_autism_report_on_our_son/
