Aberdeen mum calls for more support for children under five diagnosed with autism

A mum has called for the Scottish Government to make more support available to children under five diagnosed with autism.

It took three years for Natasha Mclennan’s son to be diagnosed. The mum-of-two had noticed traits in her child, but she felt the family’s concerns were ignored.

The now five-year-old requires speech and language therapy. Natasha believes there is not enough support readily available in the public sector for families with young autistic children.

The self-employed hairdresser has had to rely on the north-east charity Early Intervention Aberdeen for the help she needs.

“There’s not one guidebook out there that can really help parents who have a young child with autism,” Natasha told STV News.

“The support for the under-five age group isn’t really there. As we were getting ready to send our son to nursery, we weren’t entirely sure what to do because of his additional needs.

“The early intervention that these children need isn’t readily available. It is quite expensive to send your child to speech and language therapy.

“But Early Intervention Aberdeen offer these sessions for just £10, with the charity covering a majority of the cost.

“That opportunity would be massive for other families because not everyone has the financial means to afford these sessions.”

The concerned mother says that it can be difficult to find the right place for children with additional needs.

“Securing appropriate education for autistic children is not guaranteed, leaving many parents in a constant battle for support,” she said.

“Even when provisions are fought for, hundreds of children end up in schools unequipped to meet their needs.

“This failure in the system creates not only practical challenges but also immense mental and emotional strain on families, who are left exhausted from the ongoing fight.

“Urgent change is needed to ensure children receive the right support without parents having to struggle for it.”

Natasha is set to take on a half marathon on Sunday in an effort to raise as much money as possible for the charity which has supported her son.

She feels that other families should be able to receive the same help that she has.

The mum said: “I’ve asked for support from different areas including social work and it felt like they were waiting for me to fail before they stepped in.

“I can now go to Early Intervention and feel welcome with people who know how it feels. It’s crucial that people have the opportunity to be supported by this charity.

“They have lifted me up from very difficult places. “

Linda Lumsden set up the Early Intervention Aberdeen when her son was diagnosed at three years old and he was excluded from social opportunities.

The charity has held several events, including exclusive access to the Aberdeen Christmas market, discos, and programmes during the school holidays for more than 100 families with ASN children.

Ms Lumsden believes much of the responsibility to provide events and support for children with additional needs should be on the shoulders of the Scottish Government.

She said: “I think public services should be offering these services themselves.

“It shouldn’t be left to the third sector because it can be unregulated. The public sector should offer this support.

“Without the support we are setting these children up for failure.”

Scottish children’s minister Natalie Don-Innes says the Government is “determined” to ensure that services are available for families in need.

The MSP said: “We know how important it is that families can access the help and support they need, where and when they need it.

“I am determined to ensure we fund vital services that provide a national network of support for children and families given the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“We are deeply committed to our third sector and will continue to support organisations in their vital work. We are providing £18m to 137 organisations to support our aims to keep the promise, tackle child poverty, provide family support, implement Children’s Rights and to promote positive mental and physical health and wellbeing.

“We have also provided local authorities with over £65m to fund community mental health and wellbeing support and services for children, young people and their families.”

To visit Natasha’s GoFundMe click here