Education chiefs are being urged to make the autism assessment process clearer for parents.
Opposition politicians in Aberdeenshire claim the current guidelines have left many families in the dark as to how to get their child properly assessed for behavioural disorders.
Councillor Karen Adam had attempted to bring forward a discussion on the issue at next week’s education meeting, however her motion was dismissed by the authority’s ruling administration.
The Mid-Formartine representative said: “I’m disappointed not to be given the opportunity to ask questions for my constituents and all residents of Aberdeenshire who have expressed concern at the ambiguity surrounding pathways to diagnosis and ongoing support for autistic children.
“I feel concerned at the level of dissatisfaction and frustrations felt by many parents and carers who have, like ourselves, asked questions but have never been given direct answers. I wanted to get this motion on the agenda to discuss in a public forum openly and as transparent as possible, giving us the opportunity to scrutinise and receive assurances regarding these issues.
“Given the opportunity we could have opened a constructive discussion, learned from professional input, and requested actions which could have been beneficial to all Autistic children within Aberdeenshire. We are requesting the chance to discuss this in public at the earliest opportunity.”
As of 2016, there were almost 750 school pupils that had autism spectrum disorders.
However it is estimated there remains thousands more, both young and old, that are undiagnosed.
Councillor Alison Evison, the opposition spokeswoman on for education, added: “This motion asked for a briefing to parents to explain the pathways. We were told that we cannot ask this because there are various processes, involving both the NHS and education.
“The administration have failed to appreciate that that was in fact the basis of our motion – parents at local schools want to have a far better understanding of which professionals, across which public services, will be involved in developing an individualised assessment for their child. The diverse approaches around this make sense to officers, but they do not to many parents, who continue to feel frustrated, ignored and unsupported.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “The original motion was seeking to make recommendations that were outwith the powers available to the committee. Officers are working with councillors on an amended motion that will fall within the committee’s remit. Once agreed it will be put on the agenda for a future meeting.”
Cllr Jim Gifford, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Like with any committee, I am happy for Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee to discuss any issue opposition councillors wish to raise but it must fall within the clearly defined scope and governance of the committee.
“In this particular case the motion was not taken forward for four reasons. These include it referring to processes which are carried out by the NHS which are outside the scope of the committee. Furthermore, the council does not employ specialist teachers or have units’ specific for autism.
“I am sure my colleague Cllr Gillian Owen, the committee chair, will be more than happy for the motion to be discussed once it meets the committee’s parameters. I am aware that officers are working with the members to make this happen.”
