Autism tests agreed for Zach, thanks to Echo (From Echo)

Autism tests agreed for Zach, thanks to Echo

2:00pm Tuesday 21st September 2010 in Education By Christine Sexton

Avid reader – Zachary Lovett, six, with some of his favourite books

A FAMILY’S four-year struggle to have their son assessed for autism has taken a leap forward, thanks to the Echo.

Zachary Lovett, six, has been seeing medics since he was two for behavioural problems.

The Edwards Hall Primary School pupil constantly amazes his parents with his exceptional mathematical and literary skills, but he is believed to have autism.

He is in the top 1 per cent in the country for literacy and the top 2 per cent for maths, yet he is unable to socialise with his peers and hits out at those around him when he becomes frustrated with a situation.

Dad Michael Lovett, 52, of Feeches Road, Southend, said: “He is an amazing kid. If you ask him to multiply 14 by 60 he will do it immediately in his head.

“He has read more than 200 books and last year was at Key Stage 4 in maths, which is normally for 11 year olds. He will be at Key Stage 5 this year.

“Recently he was told he would be learning about space at school.

“So he digested a couple of encyclopedias on the subject and learnt all the planets, their moons, their order and distance from each other, as well as all the lunar landings.

“Then the class just did a brief lesson on the moon, which left him really frustrated.”

Zachary has yet to be officially diagnosed and so can’t yet have access to special one-to-one tuition or respite care.

Michael added: “If we get a diagnosis we can get help, but without it we get no help.”

After we took up their story, South East Essex primary care trust agreed to fund a referral to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It will lead to a statement of special educational needs for Zachary, which the family hope will enable him to get special treatment. Mum Sarah, 46, said: “It’s brilliant news, but I am sorry it had to come to contacting the Echo before they agreed to fund the referral.”

Ian Stidston, the trust’s interim director of primary and community care, said: “Patient confidentiality prevents us from commenting on individual cases.

“However, we can confirm funding, in this case, has been approved for the child in question to be assessed by clinicians at Great Ormond Street.

“We are keen to ensure the child receives the right response in relation to their immediate and ongoing support needs as soon possible.”