Looking at it genetically, its easily possible that one of the parents is somewhere on the spectrum. Is this suspected and being used as an excuse to remove the children?
Until authorities acknowledge that kids with autism can come from parents with autism, there will be this negative attitude that children are having their autism caused by the behaviour of parents, back to the days of "refrigerator mothers".
Even though if a parent was to be related to the spectrum...The parent has come this far in parenting four childern for 16 years, with not much government help. Why break a family apart now? So are the authorities saying, 'if your on the spectrum you can't be a parent or take care of a child'? For what purpose is this pyschiatric assessment going to help them? (Besides relating to the theory of autism being genetic related) bah.
Even though if a parent was to be related to the spectrum...The parent has come this far in parenting four childern for 16 years, with not much government help. Why break a family apart now?
That's the bit I find really confusing as well. Although of course it is well possible that a psychiatric illness can develop (regardless of whether a parent is on the spectrum or not) when the children are already in their teens.
What confuses me as well is that they state they had requested an assessment before and the mother had agreed. Then why hasn't it been done? Sounds to me a bit like they are punishing the family for their own lack of action :shock:
There have been cases in the past of parents losing their children simply because they have a diagnosis of AS themselves
Latest news on the children -
Co Meath parents reunited with children
12 March 2005 07:33
The Co Meath couple whose five children were taken into care by the Health Service Executive last week have been reunited with them.
After a nine-and-a-half hour court hearing yesterday, a judge rejected an application to have their care order extended.
Parents Padraig and Mary O'Hara said they were delighted with the ruling.
The Irish Society for Autism also welcomed the ruling and said justice had been done.