Battling Cannock parents call for better provision for autism sufferers

Ken Elliott and his wife Chris complained that Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group and Staffordshire County Council had failed to properly assess their son, also Kenneth, for his condition.

They also told how they have to drive a 180-mile round trip to Sheffield for treatment because there is nowhere locally that provides the service.

Mr Elliott, of Huntington Terrace Road, Cannock, claimed this was in breach of the Autism Act 2009.

The Ombudsman agreed and said that the case exposed a gap in the provision of suitable autism services in the area, although no evidence was found of an individual injustice to Mr Elliott.

The two authorities have now been given three months to submit a report outlining their plans to put autism services in place.

Mr Elliott senior said: "They have had long enough to get something up and running. We can only fight for Ken but if our battle helps other families in the same position then we're very happy."

The couple were told their son, now 36, had learning difficulties and dyslexia at Blake Valley School although he was athletic, breaking the Cannock and Staffordshire Athletics Club's 400 metre record when he was 14.

Then at the age of 23 he suffered a psychotic episode after his food or drink was spiked with cannabis at work and he was wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenic.

He was subsequently found to be suffering from Asperger's Syndrome and his parents continued to raise concerns that his behaviour had been caused by a drug-induced psychosis. They also believed he was suffering from related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Mr Elliott said: "The Autism Act was established in 2009, and became law in 2010 but in Staffordshire it has not been backed up in reality.

"We always knew Kenneth was not schizophrenic but we have had to fight for a diagnosis and, following that, for proper care for him. As a family we've had to stay focused."

Cannock Chase CCG spokesman Robin Scott said: "We have received the report from the Ombudsman and will be working with our colleagues at Staffordshire County Council to ensure we are doing everything necessary to provide services locally that meet every national standard."

County councillor Alan White, cabinet member for health, said: "We have already undertaken significant work with our partners to ensure that all services develop a better understanding of the needs of people with autism.

"We have also made good progress with more training and information resources for staff, along with more specialist sensory equipment to support people who also have sensory needs."