Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
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I pay tribute to Mr. Gloster. As head of Tusla, he was extremely accessible and fantastic. I wish him well in his appointment in this role and hope it continues in the same vein. The Fine Gael Parliamentary Party met the parents' group, Families for Reform of CAMHS. The group is growing in numbers daily. It is quite substantial. It gave a submission to this committee. It did a survey of its members - a substantial number, not 30 people but a very substantial number of children and families.

While the HSE denies that there is any discrimination against autistic children, we strongly believe, based on our experience, that the exclusionary clause in respect of autistic children is often being used against them to not offer supports or a differential diagnosis. That rather than diagnosing an anxiety disorder or acknowledging self-harm or suicidal ideation as part of a mental health issue, everything is linked back to autism so as not to have to offer supports.

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Some of our members mentioned support being withdrawn once a diagnosis of autism was disclosed and others raised concerns that turning away autistic children is being used as a way of reducing waiting lists and refusing referrals. Many members said that CAMHS explained away anxiety and-or depression as just being part of ASD, rather than acknowledging and offering support for the mental health issues being experienced.

We spoke with these mothers who came in to us. One of them happened to be a social worker. They are not isolated cases. We can talk about the woman who gave evidence in the last section of this and say it is an isolated case of over-medication or the offer of medication. However, in these instances, it is not. This is a pattern of behaviour in the context of dual diagnosis. Why is it happening? How on earth is it acceptable and how is not being picked up on and dealt with?