North Wales MS and Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Autism Group, Mark Isherwood, has today urged the Welsh Government to deliver the support still needed by those with neurodiverse conditions, including Autism, and to end the long-standing human rights abuses they are experiencing.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in this afternoon’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood referred to a new Report which has shown that 90% of parents of an Autistic child said their child did not get the right support as a result of parental blame, and that over 70% of parents said their child’s mental health worsened.
Calling for overdue action, Mr Isherwood said:
“Neurodiverse conditions, including Autism, are not mental health conditions, they are lifelong developmental conditions that shape how people see the world and how they connect with others.
“Many Autistic people have meltdowns when completely overwhelmed and their condition means it is difficult to express that in another way. This is not the same as a temper tantrum, not bad or naughty behaviour.
“In these circumstances, however, Autistic young people continue to be illegally excluded from Welsh Schools and their parents continue to be blamed and subjected to child protection procedures.
“The Association of Directors of Social Services in England has now published a report on ‘Autism and Parental Blame’, which states that ‘90% of parents said their child did not get the right support as a result of parental blame. Over 70% of parents said their child’s mental health worsened, with one in four parents reporting a high suicide risk for their child’.
“Instead of continuing to throw money and responsibility at those Public Sector perpetrators who are responsible for this in Wales, when, if ever, will you finally take action to end these longstanding human rights abuses?”
In his response, the Cabinet Secretary said:
“I wouldn't accept the characterisation that the Member makes in the second half of his question. It is a challenging area and, actually, in my experience, professionals working in the public sector are looking to do their best for young people, whatever their needs.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said:
“The Cabinet Secretary should view my casework! My office is contacted daily by parents frustrated that their Autistic child is being failed by the system.
“In every single case, these Autistic parents and parents of Autistic children are being treated as the problem by public sector officials at senior levels, who have failed to establish their communication, sensory and processing needs, and who continue to fight them rather than recognise that they were the cause of the barriers they encountered and that they can be the solution to removing them.”