Provision of treatment for Autism, Asperger's, ADHD and other similar conditions and disorders

1240/5(8015)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2013

Question

Will the Minister provide members with full details of –

1. the numbers of children receiving treatment for autism, Asperger's, ADHD and other similar conditions and disorders;
2. the number and type of specialists in the Island dealing with these conditions;
3. the cost of this treatment in the Island;
4. the number of placements and cost of external residential places over the last five years; and,
5. the cost and number of external consultations over the last five years?

Answer

1. the numbers of children receiving treatment for autism, Asperger's, ADHD and other similar conditions and disorders;

ASC

A range of Services offer treatment and support to children with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum conditions (ASC). These include:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Currently 35 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Speech and Language Therapy Service. Currently, 51 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Occupational Therapy Service. Currently, 20 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Intensive Behaviour Support Service. Currently, 14 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Short Breaks (respite) Service. Currently, 14 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Children's Complex Needs Social Work Service. Currently, 23 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.
• Paediatric Service. Currently, 20 children with a diagnosis of ASC access this service.

ADHD

CAMHS - currently 102 children and young people with ADHD access the service. A few children with ADHD and complex medical problems will be seen by the paediatricians.

Tourette Syndrome

CAMHS - currently 8 children and young people with Tourettes access the service.

Some children may have more than one diagnosis (e.g. ADHD and ASC) and will therefore be represented more than once for a service in these figures. These figures do not include children currently being assessed for a diagnosis. In addition, services meet the needs of a broader range of children with social communication and other neurodevelopmental difficulties that do not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis but may present with significant complex needs .

2. the number and type of specialists in the Island dealing with these conditions;

ASC

There is a virtual team for the assessment and diagnosis of ASC with membership including a Paediatrician, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, a Speech and Language Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Clinical Psychologist and Educational Psychologists. Team members spend around a day per week on the work of this team. These professionals also offer specialist interventions for children with a formal diagnosis. In addition, Social Workers, Family Support Workers, Behavioural Advisors and CAMHS staff (Nurses, SW, psychologists and doctors) have specialist knowledge and provide support to children with a diagnosis of ASC and their families. Because of the Jersey's small population, these professionals are also required to meet the needs of the wider population referred to the services.

The Short Breaks (respite) Service has a team specialised in working with children and young people with autism consisting of 12 fte residential child care officers.

ADHD

An ADHD clinic is held by CAMHS, run by a consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (approximately 2 sessions) and 2 nurses (1 WTE). The vast majority of children and young people in Jersey with this condition are seen in the ADHD clinic although a few are treated by other consultants in CAMHS or paediatrics.

3. The cost of this treatment in the Island;

The overall cost of the Children's service as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan is £15.5m in 2013. This includes the range of services described above that are accessed by children with a diagnosis of ASC and their families. Given the wide range of professional input, and the significant variability in treatment needs for each individual, it is not meaningful to identify the costs for ASC services separately.

In addition it is likely that many of the children with a diagnosis of ASC will be accessing therapy services such as psychology, speech and language therapy, positive behaviour support therapy and occupational therapy. These services are set up to provide services to all ages of islanders and the costs for a specific group of children cannot be readily identified. In total the cost of Therapy services as set out in the MTFP is £7.3m. Investment in CAMHS and Psychological services to support children and young people has increased significantly over the past 5 years, from £1,856,000 in 2009 to £2,230,400 in 2013.

4. the number of placements and cost of external residential places over the last five years;

In the last five years there have been five children who have accessed an off-island residential placement to meet the needs arising from a diagnosis of ASC or a similar condition. The costs are summarised below:

The number and cost of off-island placements is set out in the table below:

These costs are included in the total cost for Children's services set out in (c) above.

5. the cost and number of external consultations over the last five years?

The Health and Social Services Department commissions an external Consultant from the National Autistic Society to provide support and develop strategy for services to both adult and children with autistic spectrum conditions.

The cost and number of external clinical consultations is set out in the table below:

These costs are included in the total cost for Children's services set out in (c) above.