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Wes Streeting's move against autism - NAS - time to step up

mrs.snooks

I'm aware that this discussion may get a little heated, but I hope that it stays away from getting too much so. I do not mean to cause offense or lead to any arguments. So here goes.

I woke up to this morning's headlines: 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is to launch an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services in England.

I haven't added the link to the article as I know this will trigger a delay to having this posted. But I'm thinking you will have seen this this morning. 

I am so angry on so many levels. And I am hoping that the NAS is angry too and can respond to his move with a firm and robust response. Because.

Now, I am going to call it out. Mr Streeting, I think that this is what I would be calling: Discrimination. Discrimination with a big, fat capital D. Discrimination against a marginalised group. A vulnerable group. That deserves your protection and that you should have our back. As the HEALTH secretary. Shame on you. Shame on you.

I may not respond to any responses to my thread, if it gets too heated. And I am happy for the thread to get locked or removed.

It's time to Step Up.

Parents

  • Thanks for the link  

    Here is a copy of the purpose of the review:

    "Purpose  

    The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on:  

    • evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including:
      • factors that have contributed to drivers in prevalence for children, young people and adults
      • how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services (including assessment)
    • evidence on inequalities in accessing support for children, young people and adults across the spectrum of need
    • evidence on the role of diagnosis for children, young people and adults, including:
      • changes in diagnostic pathways, criteria and process over the past 10 years
      • the value of diagnosis to individuals
      • barriers to receiving a diagnosis and its impact on receiving support
      • the role of the independent sector in diagnosing individuals with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism
    • evidence on the role of medicalisation in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, including the appropriateness, potential harms and the difference between non-clinical need and disorder
    • evidence on the role of medication in treating mental health conditions and ADHD, including the long-term outcomes of pharmacological treatment for young people and adults
    • the role of preventative care and early intervention across the life course, including support for those waiting for services and ways to reduce demand and waiting times, working with relevant government departments to explore cross-sector opportunities to support this approach and create the conditions for good mental wellbeing

    This work will include international comparisons covering prevalence, diagnostic systems and cultural factors influencing diagnosis."

    There is a lot to unpack in the above and the mixing together of conditions doesn't help.

    My feeling is that a review could be a good thing, but of course it depends on the outcome, + action taken upon conclusions reached, which might be beneficial in some areas, but detrimental in others.

    Something has clearly gone very wrong since the criteria for an ASD assessment were changed and my personal fear is that diagnosis will be made more stringent again, which could mean that myself and others like me would once again be working in darkness where a diagnosis gave light. (see below)

    evidence on the role of diagnosis for children, young people and adults, including:

    • changes in diagnostic pathways, criteria and process over the past 10 years
  • in reply to B

    Thanks B. The review in itself sounds like it could be positive, but l am concerned that the government will bow to public pressure that has built up from misinformation in the media. 

    A non-autistic friend recently asked me (again!) why there are more autistic people now than there were years ago. Perhaps some people who aren’t neurodivergent have little interest in delving into the details.

Reply
  • in reply to B

    Thanks B. The review in itself sounds like it could be positive, but l am concerned that the government will bow to public pressure that has built up from misinformation in the media. 

    A non-autistic friend recently asked me (again!) why there are more autistic people now than there were years ago. Perhaps some people who aren’t neurodivergent have little interest in delving into the details.

Children