Parents urged to advocate for children as autism services struggle

Amid a severe shortage of specialists to support neurodivergent children, an advocate has called on parents to speak out and push for faster access to essential therapy and diagnosis services.

Sonia Maloney, chairperson and founder of Evening Stars Barbados, urged parents to find their voices when seeking help for their autistic children, stressing that advocacy is critical in navigating a system strained by limited resources and long waiting lists.

Maloney made the call during an interview on Friday, highlighting the growing need for speech and occupational therapists on the island and noting that these services are essential to early intervention.

“Speech therapists, occupational therapists, they’re all very much needed,” she told Barbados TODAY, adding that while services are available through the Child Development Centre, long waiting times continue to affect families. She explained that delays can hinder early intervention, which is crucial in helping children develop key skills.

Since 2024, the government has had only one speech therapist, contributing to a backlog of cases, including long waiting lists for autism assessments. Maloney shared that some families face waiting long periods just to begin the diagnostic process.

“There is definitely a backlog. I can personally attest to this,” she said, recalling her own experience of waiting to have herself and her child assessed. “A lot of parents who I talk to are experiencing the same thing.”

She stressed that, in the face of these challenges, parents must take an active role in advocating for their children. “If you just sit there and say we need help, we’re not getting help, but nobody advocates for the help, then it is deemed as if it is not as important as it really is,” Maloney said. “You have to ask for the help, you have to continue to push.”

She acknowledged that fear, past trauma and stigma often prevent parents from speaking out, but warned that their silence can delay critical support for their children.

Maloney also encouraged families to join support groups such as those offered by the Autism Association of Barbados and Evening Stars Barbados, where parents can receive guidance while awaiting formal services.

The Evening Stars Barbados founder further highlighted the emotional challenges many parents face following a diagnosis, including denial, which can delay early intervention.

“When parents first get a diagnosis, they tend to go into denial,” she said, reflecting on her own experience more than a decade ago. “When you go into denial, you deny your child also the opportunity for early intervention.”

She also raised concerns about the strain placed on schools, noting that many educators are not adequately trained to support children with neurodiversity, which can lead to further challenges in the classroom.

Maloney urged parents to pay attention to early warning signs and seek guidance from organisations such as the Autism Association of Barbados, the Barbados Council for the Disabled, and Evening Stars Barbados.

“Never underestimate the power of the foundation,” she said. “The home is the foundation of society, and parents have a responsibility to guide and support their children.”

(LE)