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The Herald Society: Letters to the Editor Scottish Parliament Shows Lack of Purpose Over Autism

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 06:00 CST

In response to the reply of John McDonald, chief executive, Scottish Society for Autism (The Herald Society, November 22) to my letter published on October 11.

McDonald's line of argument - to agree that the present system for those with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis is insufficient, that New Struan is "a resource for all" and that the "forging of alliances" is an acceptable proposal to counter the ineptitudes of the status quo - may be persuasive if it were not for the array of more pertinent facts, statistics and reasoning in the public domain.

Unfortunately, McDonald's omission of these only serves to portray an extemporised approach to issues concerning quality of service and equality of access. Why should children be subject to the ad hoc reality of awaiting the unification of disassociated individuals before any significant difference is made? Geographical location, local education authority priorities and parental ability must be surpassed by a cohesive approach by our political representatives.

The validity of the realisation that the journey of potential solutions is "complex", "inflexible" and contains "great tensions over the cost" is negated by the servile assurance that many of those within the system "work hard".

Bestowing platitudes will not necessarily influence the morale or motivation of those concerned or the perspective of parents and advocates. They are able to discern between those associated with their child who have made an invaluable difference, and those whose role does not merit the diversion of resources. Underlying this, of course, are questions concerning the level of intelligent planning behind the deployment of resources.

Has anyone within the Scottish Parliament taken cognisance of their own published data: the Audit of Services for People with ASD (2004)? Or the National Autism Plan for Children (2003), which promotes a clear timescale of response: within 36 weeks of the initial referral a comprehensive home and pre-school plan of action should exist?

If so, where is the recognition in the Scottish Executive's planning that early intervention is not only lifechanging for the individuals involved, but also cost effective for the entire nation? Where is the co-ordinated response to address the crisis precipitated by the increasing number of individuals with an ASD diagnosis in Scotland? Moreover, where is the research, which exists in other parts of the world, into treatments available to those with autism, and where is the understanding that the genetics argument alone is a betrayal of parental intellect? Self-led study provides a multitude of choices for intervention, yet no supervision is provided, or research made available, by the very organisations resourced by the taxpayer to have a duty of care.

New Struan does exhibit foresight and creativity in its published literature and the 53 school-age pupils who access it on a consistent basis obviously have a valuable resource. However, it cannot and should not hope to redress the lack of vision, purpose and accountability demonstrated by our parliament, local health boards and councils.

We must all push for change, but attempting to fill the void with parentled initiatives will always retain the same flaws: timescale, energy and the pursuit of differing objectives.

For parents and other advocates, the dichotomy between fulfilling the duties of their caring and nurturing role and the tensions created by the allencompassing nature of entering into any type of debate, at any level, with the aforementioned organisations in an attempt to increase their child's quality of life is a very real one.

Children with a complex and lifelong condition deserve: parents who can be focussed on their immediate needs, a society which recognises that our own worth as individuals should be measured by how we respond to the most vulnerable among us, and a Scottish parliament that engages with the associated challenges and is proactive in developing solutions in an intelligent and co- ordinated manner.

L Cameron, Largs

Why humour helps some teachers become truly inspirational

Re Classroom Incognito of November 22, how wrong your teacher is.

Of course, it's not in any education manual that a teaching college pass in the "Stand-Up Comedy" module is compulsory before you face the great unwashed masses. Of course, attendance at the "Smile-a-While" lectures is a matter of personal choice. Of course, Alfred Nobel (pictured) forgot to have a prize for "Children's Entertainer of the Year" (or is that synonymous with the existing Peace Prize? ) Of course, some secondary school subjects (maths? ) are inherently un-funny. Of course, some teachers (maths again? ) have had the charisma-bypass operation.

However, proof that those who have the enduring ability to "make learning fun" make the best teachers lies, I suspect, within Incognito's own experience. Ever attended a lecture, in-service day talk or debate? Ever managed to stay awake all the way through it? You did? Then chances are that the person giving the talk had a sense of humour and was confident enough in their own personality and capabilities to infuse it with humour.

Clearly, too, as Incognito affirms, "Life can't be constant fun and gratification." Nor is anyone denying that not all teachers (or, indeed, people) have such seemingly innate skills. It's simply that those who do, seem to be the most inspirational.

The cliched conception of the theatre and the classroom being virtually one-and-the-same discipline is not altogether as wide of the mark as Incognito seems to imply.

Gerry McCulloch, Saltcoats, Ayrshire

Time to make the most of our high street pharmacists

"Pharmacies get radical prescription" (The Herald Society, November 22) raised a number of issues surrounding the Right Medicine policy and the new contract for community pharmacists. Now is the time that community pharmacists come out from behind the counter, and our growing role in providing healthcare services will only improve the offering to the public.

Since 2000 a total of GBP623,587 of public funding, plus a further GBP300,000 of private investment from the pharmacists themselves, has been spent on improving facilities in NHS Lothian pharmacy premises. 75-per cent of community pharmacies in Lothian can now offer either private consultation rooms or areas where customers can receive expert advice on their medicines in confidence. Further funding is already committed to bring the remaining pharmacies up to standard. Some pharmacists, like James Allan, have larger premises than others and will be able to offer a wide range of professional healthcare services, becoming a further asset to their local community.

Often, as community pharmacists, we are asked to explain what prescribed medicines are for. Every day people seek our advice on a range of ailments they "don't want to bother the doctor with". With authority to prescribe for minor ailments, community pharmacists will ease the pressure at surgeries by prescribing medicines for coughs, colds and other conditions. And patient safety will remain paramount. After all, pharmacists are accessible on the high street with no appointment required, and with five years training it makes perfect sense to fully exploit the expertise that exists.

Community healthcare is teamwork and it's time pharmacists fulfilled their potential in plugging some of the gaps between what the customer wants and what is currently available.

Fiona McCready, The Local Pharmacy Ltd, Edinburgh

Advocates are champions for incapacitated

Further to recent correspondence in Society over the last three weeks about individuals being removed from incapacity benefits by an "independent doctor" supplied by the department of work and pensions (Sickened by illtreatment, Feedback, The Herald Society, November 15), might I suggest that in these circumstances when individuals are asked to attend a review of their benefits, they try and access the help and support of an independent advocate.

I'm unclear from the previous letters where the individuals live, but in Lomond and Argyll - (West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute) there is a long-established and very well-respected independent advocacy organisation called Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service. We provide independent advocacy to a wide variety of clients, mainly those who have a mental disorder as defined by the new Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. In layman's terms that includes individuals who have accessed mental health services and those with learning disabilities and personality disorders. The new legislation, which came into force on October 5, 2005, gives those with a disorder the right to access independent advocacy.

Perhaps the "champion of the cause" that the writer (November 29) requires is an independent advocate. Advocates make sure that your voice is heard. You might feel unsure about speaking up for yourself; you might have difficulty getting your views heard and understood; you wish you had someone who'd ask the questions you'd like answers to. An advocate can spend time with you, getting to know you and your needs so they are in a good position to help you express your views and, if necessary, speak up on your behalf. Advocates who work for Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service are independent of any health or social work services.

There are a number of independent advocacy projects throughout Scotland and I would extol your readers to use these services wherever possible.

Andrew Park, Depute advocacy manager, Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service

Establishment thwarts Scottish literature

The article by Alison Chiesa (Pupils have "the right" to be taught Scottish literature, The Herald Society, November 29), comments on the poverty suffered by our children and culture, in a historic sense, by lack of emphasis on Scots literature in our schools. This, in my opinion, is caused by narrow anti-nationalism on the part of the establishment.

The expression "set my people free" does not only apply to the U.S.

Steve McIntosh, Johnstone Bob Holman writes that child abuse tragedies have been attributed to the failure of agencies to co- operate, and that the amalgamation of childcare responsibilities under one director could improve matters. (Speaking from experience, The Herald Society, November 15) This may be so, but the present guidelines are workable and fairly efficient, while monitoring of the same should be ongoing.

The main failing in the investigation of child abuse can sometimes be the simple fact that the various personalities very often have never met and in some cases are unsure of each other's remit.

To this end the inter-agency training programmes must continue on a regular and frequent basis.

Tina Oakes, Stonehaven

Might I suggest that the money earmarked for free swimming (Education news, The Herald Society, November 22) is channelled towards free swimming lessons instead?

As a parent, I would prefer to see the money put towards schemes which ensured all primary-aged children were able to fend for themselves in water.

Jenny Hutcheson, Glasgow

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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