RECENT Evening Press articles about autism and respite care have led me to ask what effect the newspaper's previous campaigns, notably Rain Man, from February 1989, have had on the provision of services for people with this condition in York and North Yorkshire?
The answer to my question seems to be: very little. There are still no dedicated schools for children with autism; very few residential places for adults; no dedicated adult centres; not nearly enough respite care places and little sign that things will ever get any better. Why is this? Is it lack of concern, knowledge or willingness?
I suspect all three. No concern because no votes, no knowledge because it's too dangerous to know the full extent of the need to be met, and no willingness because of cost and a dangerous dogma that "professionals" know best.
Anthony Still,
Barbers Drive,
Copmanthorpe, York.
Updated: 10:41 Thursday, February 01, 2001
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