Caron - Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum

Age at interview: 24

Brief Outline: Caron's son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.

Background: Caron, a full time carer, and her husband have two sons; Leo aged five and Peter aged 2. Ethnic background/nationality' Mixed race.

Caron felt if she 'had been a business woman instead of a stay at home mum' she 'would have been dealt with a lot better'.

Generally how would you describe your dealings with professionals?

 

I think that if I was more like other business women, a sort of woman, instead of a stay at home mum I would have been dealt with a lot better. I do believe. I think if they knew what I was talking about and I went in there and I was right ‘blah blah blah’, they would be treating me a lot me a lot better then me going well I think there is something wrong with him ‘blah blah blah’. Do you know what I mean? I think they do stereotype, yes, that is what I think.

 

So you are saying not too satisfactory then?

 

No. No. Not when I was trying to get help for him and even now, you know, if I ever try and ring his paediatrician, well I have tried to three times in the last month and I haven’t got a single reply, I can never speak to her and she will never ring back. So it is still not very good no.