Mum Calls for Autism Screening for Premature Babies
Mom Calls for Stronger Support for Children at Risk of neurodiversity
Parents face hurdles accessing early intervention services for children with potential developmental delays,advocates say.
For parents like Sarah Poynter, navigating the healthcare system for a child with potential developmental needs can feel like an uphill battle. Poynter’s son, Freddie, was identified at birth as being at higher risk for neurodiversity. While he initially received support through a local child advancement center, those services ended when he was two and a half years old.
Years later, when freddie began displaying symptoms of ADHD and autism, Poynter found herself starting from scratch. “We no longer had access back to that service, despite being told at birth that he would be at higher risk of neurodiversity,” she said.
Poynter’s experience highlights a growing concern among advocates: the lack of robust and accessible early intervention services for children at risk of neurodevelopmental conditions. while guidelines exist from organizations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Poynter believes they need to be strengthened to ensure timely and consistent support.
“We had to take Freddie to a GP to be referred on to the relevant pathway and had to wait in that ‘queue with everybody else,'” Poynter explained. This delay in accessing specialized care can have meaningful consequences for children’s development and well-being.Early intervention is crucial for children with neurodevelopmental conditions,as it can definitely help them develop essential skills and reach their full potential.Advocates are calling for increased funding and resources to expand access to early intervention programs and ensure that all children, regardless of their background or risk factors, receive the support they need.
“It felt Like We Were Starting From Scratch” – Mom Fighting for Better Support for Neurodivergent children
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Sarah Poynter knows firsthand the struggles parents face when trying to access support for their neurodivergent children. Her son, Freddie, was identified at birth as being at higher risk for neurodiversity, receiving early support from a local child advancement center. Though, those services ended when Freddie was two and a half.
Years later, when he began displaying symptoms of ADHD and autism, Poynter found herself back at square one. “We no longer had access back to that service, despite being told at birth that he would be at higher risk of neurodiversity,” she revealed. This experiance highlights a critical issue: the lack of consistent and readily available Early Intervention services for children at risk of neurodevelopmental conditions.
while guidelines from organizations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) exist, Poynter believes they need strengthening. Her experience involved navigating a lengthy referral process through a GP, creating unnecessary delays. “We had to take Freddie to a GP to be referred on to the relevant pathway and had to wait in that ‘queue with everybody else,'” she explained.
Ponton emphasizes the crucial role early intervention plays in a child’s development.Delays in accessing specialized care can have a significant impact. Advocates, echoing Poynter’s concerns, are calling for increased funding and resources to expand access to early intervention programs, ensuring all children, irrespective of background or risk factors, recieve the essential support they need to thrive.