Mum says teenage autistic son has been abandoned and falling through cracks in system

Cherisse Lanigan feels her son has been "abandoned and is falling through cracks in the system" because of a lack of support for young adults with learning difficulties.

Callan has autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as anxiety and other behavioural issues.

After recently turning 18, he took a test which found he has an IQ above 70. In Northern Ireland, this means he cannot access adult disability services, even thought he had been assessed as having special educational needs as a child.

The Northern Health Trust has said it recognises the approach "can present significant challenges" for individuals and families who do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Health trusts in Northern Ireland use a psychometric assessment to define if someone has a learning disability or not.

Cherisse, who lives with her son in Draperstown, County Londonderry, described his autism diagnosis as complex and said that he has "significant social and emotional support needs".

"My son's autism is so much more than his IQ, and he really struggles with the social aspects of being around people, but any help we had has now been taken away because of one test," she told BBC News NI.

"It just feels like he's being treated like he's not that important because without support, he's not going to make progress, so is he just expected to stay at home all his life?"

Kaynak: BBC News Health RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)