Mum says daughter, 9, lives in her own horror story as family struggles to get appointment with a specialist

At just nine years old, Rose Blair has meltdowns so severe it requires several police officers and paramedics to contain her. The Queensland girl’s parents are desperate for help but their appointments with specialists continue to be rejected or cancelled.

At just nine years old and weighing 29 kilos Rose Blair has meltdowns so explosive it takes several police officers and paramedics to contain her.

“It’s like she suddenly gets superhuman strength and loses herself in frightening episodes. My daughter is dealing with delusional thoughts and it is as if she is living in a horror movie,” mum Anna Dean said.

The Queensland girl has been diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) level two but her weary parents are convinced she has a much more serious neurological disorder and are desperate to see a specialist.

“When she is going through a bad period we would have to call emergency services twice a week. She has been held down by multiple police officers and ambulance personnel who inject droperidol into her leg so she is calm enough to be transported to ED. Each time she is sent home without further investigation or treatment,” Ms Dean said.

Little Rose Blair suffers from violent episodes and her parents regularly have to call emergency services and police.

“The emergency workers are so lovely. They are parents themselves and they understand that no little girl should behave like this.

“We have been waiting to be seen by a neurologist at the Queensland Children’s Hospital for over a year with previous referrals rejected or appointments cancelled.

“I feel there is a routine of buck passing which means Rose has not been properly assessed or treated and has been left in a state of discomfort with nowhere to turn.

“Private child psychiatrists are full with no waiting lists.

“The last we heard an appointment was likely to be May but this family won’t last until May — even if they keep that commitment,” Ms Dean said.

Rose has seriously injured her mum and dad and little sister and even threw her much loved pet bird Beans out of the window.

Anna Dean’s eye after one of Rose’s violent episodes.

“She loves that bird and she has battles in her own head. She is scared someone is going to hurt Beans and so somehow she makes that a reality.

“Luckily the bird survived as it talks to her and they have a close relationship.

“It is like a horror movie and we need a proper diagnosis so she can get the right treatment and medication that will allow her some peace.

“Rose lives in such a state of heightened anxiety and irrational fears that it is unsustainable,” Ms Dean said.

Little Rose Blair is in and out of hospital after her episodes.

“When the real Rose appears you couldn’t meet a more beautiful and good natured child. I feel she has been so badly let down and has just been handballed and it feels like it is just too hard for anyone to care.”

Rose showed no signs of problems up until the age of three when she started to regress in speech and development. But the biggest shock came when she was aged six and started school.

“On the first week she was student of the week and was so happy then suddenly she hit a huge regression where she couldn’t eat or even go to the toilet. At nine she barely eats. At the moment it’s only milkshakes,” mum said.

Little Rose Blair is a sweet and good-natured child when she isn’t having an episode and her parents are desperate to get treatment for her condition.

In an email about Rose her NDIS support worker wrote: “As someone who spends a large amount of time with Rose I believe it is absolutely necessary that Rose receives more support to relieve the family of the enormous pressure they are currently under.”

Rose’s parents are exhausted and are baffled that no inpatient facility exists for children like their daughter.

“There is nowhere to turn. She hasn’t been to school for a year. We are desperate. We are pleading for help.”

A spokesman for Children’s Health Queensland said the department had been in touch with the family to help ensure the child gets the help she needs.

“Children’s Health Queensland works in partnership with families to help children and young people receive safe, timely and appropriate care that achieves the best possible outcomes,” he said.

Originally published as Mum says daughter, 9, lives in her own horror story as family struggles to get appointment with a specialist