Mother says it's causing her eight-year-old to have suicidal thoughts
*A warning that this story contains references of suicide and information which some readers may find upsetting.
A lack of support with his high functioning additional needs is causing one eight-year-old boy on the Island to have suicidal thoughts.
That's according to his mother after he was diagnosed with ADHD and autism.
Jane, which isn't her real name, is calling for more help to be given to children like hers who struggle in a mainstream school environment.
She told Manx Radio the support they do have is great, but there just isn't enough of it:
'Inclusive education policy'
Education Minister Daphne Caine says her department is committed to an inclusive education policy where measures are implemented to ensure that each pupil can access the curriculum regardless of their needs or personal circumstances.
This involves implementing suitable arrangements for students who have additional and complex educational needs.
She told Manx Radio that following an independent review into the way schools are funded on the Isle of Man the department hopes to carry out a review of additional education needs.
You can read the report in full HERE.
Minister Caine adds that during this review consideration would need to be given to best practice, within and outside the Island, taking into account the following areas:
- The development of dedicated facilities for children with complex needs allowing for the concentration of specialist resources and expertise whilst ensuring inclusivity of the curriculum by supporting focused and structured access and improving equity of offer.
- The use of alternative resource centres to support the delivery of provision for pupils with less complex needs but who otherwise have difficulty accessing mainstream on a permanent basis.
- The role of alternative provision within schools including the role of online provision as well as on-site and off-site provision and the function of each.
- The role of other agencies in working together to deliver improvements for children with additional educational needs.
No timescale has yet been given for the review of additional education needs.
'Waiting lists'
Meanwhile there are currently 1,200 children who are waiting to be seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - the vast majority of which are said to be waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment.
Last month a £4 million investment into CAMHS was announced which hopes to reduce waiting times and switch from a 'reactive' approach to a 'proactive' one.
But how exactly will that help?
Ross Bailey is the Head of Integrated Mental Health Services at Manx Care:
Government says the CAMHS caseload, including these lower and moderate needs cases, has increased by 90 percent in the last three years with over 13 percent of all the Island's children and young people aged 4-17 in receipt of treatment or awaiting assessment.
Once the list is reduced to a 'sustainable' level it's hoped the average wait time to access CAMHS will then be a maximum of 18 weeks for routine assessments, down from the current average of 48 weeks, with the aim of offering assessments within six.
'Support'
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story there are details of local organisations that provide advice and support HERE.
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