A Cork mother has shared her distress after being told her son, who is on the autism spectrum, will have to wait nearly six years to receive psychological support through the Health Service Executive (HSE). Ruth (a pseudonym), from East Cork, described how her four-year-old son has exhibited challenging behaviours for more than two years. Despite a private occupational therapy assessment confirming his autism diagnosis, a primary care psychology appointment won’t be available until October 2030.
The family, who are without state support, is struggling to manage the impact of their son’s condition on their lives. Ruth expressed how the lack of services has led to emotional and financial strain, disrupting family life, her marriage, and her career. She noted that her family often feels as though they are “firefighting,” trying to manage without adequate resources.
The demand for psychological services in the Cork/Kerry region has increased dramatically in recent years, with over 6,200 children waiting for their first psychological consultation as of December 2024. This is part of a broader crisis, with many children waiting over a year for an appointment.
Local TD Liam Quaide has called for an extensive recruitment drive to meet the growing need for services, rather than redeploying staff from other areas. He emphasized that the ongoing shortage is directly impacting vulnerable families, like Ruth’s.
A HSE spokesperson acknowledged the severe waiting times and staffing challenges, expressing regret for the delays. They also reiterated their commitment to reducing wait times and providing timely support for children in need.
Ruth, however, remains frustrated by the system, arguing that families should not face financial or emotional hardship due to the lack of timely interventions. She added, “If intervention is essential, why are we being forced to wait nearly six years?”
As Ruth and many other families face similar challenges, the need for systemic change in the delivery of autism services and mental health support in Ireland has never been more urgent.
Pshycologist and child Picture-by-Stockcake