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Research carried out by the University of Ulster, launched this week to parents and healthcare professionals, examined the three services which are delivered jointly by the Southern Health and Social Services Board (SHSSB) and the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB):-
• The area wide ABC Clinic for the assessment of children under four,
• An Assessment Clinic for difficult to diagnose children under 12 in Newry and Mourne Trust and
• A Home Based Early Intervention Service.
Speaking at the event Alison Harrison a parent of a child with Autism said: “With the help and guidance of the early intervention programme our son's life and our family life have improved greatly. As a parent, you initially feel that nobody is helping you but I am glad to report that there are many good people working in health and education who are trying to improve autism services.”
Presenting the research findings, Roy McConkey, Professor of Learning Disability at the University of Ulster said: “The SHSSB and the SELB are to be congratulated on working together on early assessment and interventions initiatives for preschool children with autistic specturm disorders. They have provided a model that could be usefully applied in other areas".
Arlene Cassidy, Director of PAPA agrees: “Whilst this is a first for the SHSSB's area we would like to see similar services introduced right across Northern Ireland.”
Dr Clare Mangan, SELB Assistant Senior Education Officer, said: “Three members of staff have been appointed to the SELB's Autism Advisory and Support Service with dedicated responsibilities in relation to children in the early years. In addition to providing input to assessment and diagnostic teams the SELB are continuing to develop training for parents, teachers and assistants, support in relation to both individual interventions, and the transition from pre-school placement to provision for pupils of compulsory school age.
SHSSB Chief Executive Colm Donaghy said; “We intend to take the recommendations of this report and use them to inform the development of our children's autism strategy. The development and implementation of this strategy will continue to involve parents, carers, voluntary agencies and statutory organisations.”
The report concludes by commending the achievements of the services and the commitment of the health and education staff and it believes that the Southern area is at the forefront of tackling the increase in the number of cases of autism. It makes a total of 14 recommendations to build on the foundations which have been put in place. |
