We as a family are in the place. Four males with Aspergers and ADHD, plus a wife who has attempted suicide twice. Why? Quite frankly – a lack of support.

Although there are cuts there is also other underlying issues. We too are still fighting, now into the thirteenth year.

In the UK, schools yield a significant amount of power. We have found that without their support you achieve little medically. This is because they are regulated by performance reviews which leads them to not highlight children that will affect this statutory performance.

All schools push to be perceived as coping. Look at performance. Focus on those that can. Push up the results and the few who can’t only lowers the performance level proportionately.

Money and budgets have an pact too. Schools are reluctant to spend where potential results will not deliver a descent score. Try and get a ‘statement’ if the school dies have the funds. Funds issued at the beginning of the year, tend to be allocated and or spent prior to need.

Teachers who teach, in our experience, do not get it. Pastoral staff – brilliant. But they have a very hard fight against their colleagues.

Medical. Budgets and lack of care. Colleague inter-rivalry does not exist. Get a bad doctor who fails to support you and ask for a referal. Just yesterday I was fighting on the phone with CAHMS.

Why? Because the doctor who had failed my eldest (support in school needed due to him failing sixth form. After begging have managed to get him a position in the new term. But he only gets one chance again to fail) the new doctor has told us, ‘wait until he fails again and then we will review him. I do want to go over Dr xxxxxx head’. Justice? I don’t think so.

Is it hard? Too right.

We have had to keep fighting. This is not what you want to hear but unfortunately the case. We pushed for a CAF panel. With that support eight letters were sent by the bodies that attended. Only when that happened did things start to move.

A GP who cares is a major necessity. Someone who is willing to fight your cause.

We are still fighting. One thing I have learnt is; once you have given the ‘do people’ a go and received no help, stop speaking to the canon ball and talk directly to the canon. And yes even the head (top bod) of the National Health Service.

Last suggestion. Book an appointment with your local Member if Parliament. Ours is Steve Webb and he has helped.

Keep going and keep pushing.

Regards,

BJ