Patient’s plight in TV spotlight

Back in February, we reported how 27-year-old Peter Temple had been denied psychological help for his Asperger's Syndrome after being caught in a bizarre IQ test trap.

Peter was refused help the first time because the test ruled his IQ was too high to be deemed as having a learning disability.

But when his family tried another route to get him the help they felt he needed, they found he could not see an adult psychologist because his performance had been too low on the memory section of the test.

It meant that Peter, who had found sessions with a psychologist very useful in the past, was left unable to get any help at all.

Our story attracted the attention of other media and it is to be aired on Sunday on BBC1's The Politics Show - as an illustration of a national problem.

Peter's mum Christine said: "We're still waiting for the services in York that are needed. The staff who support Peter are getting some sessions with a psychologist now. It (publicity) has had some effect already. It's made the PCT sit up."

Christine said the fact that Peter's support staff had been given sessions with a psychologist was helpful - but had still not been able to access any.

She said the family planned to send the DVD from this Sunday's Politics Show, which airs at midday, to North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT).

A PCT spokesman said the organisation would not comment on individual cases.

He said: "Treatment for Asperger's Syndrome depends on the individual needs of a particular patient and different agencies work together to ensure the best possible care can be delivered.

"For example, if someone is diagnosed as having a learning disability, they would be assessed for treatment by the learning disabilities team.

"If they have a mental illness, they would be assessed for treatment in mental health services.

"If they have social problems, they would be assessed for services by the local authority."