Bounty

A charity has claimed that NHS workers often fail children with autism by dismissing associated mental health problems as "unfortunate" side effects of the disorder.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) said more than 70% of youngsters with autism also suffer from a mental health problem, such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder, which is treatable.

NAS officials cited the example of one woman whose two teenage children with autism had tried to commit suicide, but the family were only given the opportunity to join a nine-month waiting list for group therapy.

Another woman suffering from autism who attempted suicide was told she had attachment disorder rather than autism, and her mother was blamed for not nurturing her as a child. The autism diagnosis was eventually restored.

As the charity launched its Needs to Know campaign, chief executive Mark Lever said: "Too many children with autism are developing preventable mental health problems and find themselves up against a broken system that doesn't understand them or their needs."

Copyright Press Association 2010.