PCT Bids For Key Workers As MP Highlights Poor Support For Children With Asperger's Syndrome

Warrington North MP HELEN JONES has highlighted the problems faced in Warrington by families with a child suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. 

The MP secured an Adjournment debate in the House of Commons to raise a number of issues following discussions with the Warrington Asperger Syndrome Parent Support (WAspS) group. 

The MP said of her meeting with WAspS that:

“ It was one of the most enlightening and humbling visits I have ever made. Those parents cope every day with things that would bring most of us to our knees. They deal with stresses and strains that those of us fortunate enough to have healthy children who do not have major problems can hardly imagine, yet in my area they receive little support. I think that is because much of what they do is hidden,  and helping them and their children does not seem high on anyone’s list of priorities. I hope that this debate will at least help to give the problem higher priority."

The MP highlighted the fact that educational practice is different in different schools because special needs co-ordinators did not have to attend courses on Asperger’s. This meant that some parents were happy with the support from their child’s school and others had to struggle to get support.

The problem in accessing health service provision was worse the MP said. Parents in Warrington who secured assessments for their children often had to wait up to 12 months for some intervention, such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy.  Sometimes help was not provided before the child started to self-harm. 

HELEN JONES said:

“If we had earlier intervention and proper care pathways, it is my firm belief that not as many children would reach that crisis, and the strain on families would be much reduced."

The MP renewed her call for one key worker or lead nurse to help families access the services they need, whether in health or education and said that Warrington PCT still had not replied to her on this issue despite having been asked the question in December.

Summing up, HELEN JONES said of services in Warrington:

“We should ask ourselves. Would this service be good enough for my son or daughter. I have to say that in my area,  it is not so."

Health Minister Caroline Flint, replying for the government admitted that the Strategic Health Authority and PCT recognised that they could do more in this area and would be looking to improve services. Mrs Flint also announced that the PCT has prepared a local delivery plan bid for a key worker role to support young people with a suspected diagnosis of autism, including Asperger’s syndrome.

In welcoming this development HELEN JONES said:

“This bid represents a step forward but the PCT really has to work on its communication,  as well as improving it’s services. As far as I am aware they have not even let the parents know that they are putting in a bid for a key worker."