Cries for help

More parents speak out about lack of children’s disability services

FOLLOWING last week’s coverage of children living with a disability under the care of the North Galway CDNT 7, The Tuam Herald has spoken to three more parents regarding their constant struggles with the provision of services provided to their children by the CDNT 7 team now based in the new Grove in Tuam.

Laura Hughes Tottman’s son was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities and extremely challenging behavioural disorders just before he turned three in 2010. “He’s almost 16 now and we’ve been on our own basically since then,” said Laura.

“He’s never seen an occupational therapist through the CDNT services. He has so many sensory issues and extremely challenging behaviours. It’s life and death sometimes here in the house, he takes his frustrations out on myself.

“He’s 24/7. He hasn’t slept right since he was eight months old. He used to demolish the room. He had his first proper night’s sleep when he was seven after we got him a specially adapted room.”

Laura’s son is in receipt of respite care and attends a special needs school. It takes two carers to look after him in both settings…

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