(UK) Guernsey: Family 'drowning' over lack of support for autistic daughter

Feb 14, 2026,  itvX: 'We are drowning': Family with autistic child in 'crisis' over lack of support 

https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2026-02-14/family-with-autistic-child-drowning-over-lack-of-support 

A family in Guernsey has said they are "drowning" over a lack of support for their autistic child.

Alana McKane is four years old, and her condition means she is often non-verbal and prone to violent outbursts.

The situation has left her parents, Chantelle and Ady, constantly needing to restrain her and protect her from herself.

Chantelle told ITV News: "It's devastating to see her in such a constant state of disregulation - she's constantly angry, and she doesn't know why, which leaves her upset. We can't settle her.

"We are drowning because we cannot spend any time together.

"We've been crying out for support for over a year, and just nothing's forthcoming."

Alana's parents have even been advised several times to consider giving up their daughter to foster care, which they say "is just not an option".

Chantelle adds: "We've been told repeatedly that we've been offered everything they can do, and we do not have any more options left other than positive behaviour service, functional family therapy, and occupational therapy."

She continues that these are all options that the family has tried, but haven't proved effective due to Alana's complex needs.

Alana attends school but often ends the day feeling "stressed" and "dysregulated" due to masking her condition, explains Chantelle.

Alana has not been accepted into any special needs schools in the Bailiwick, despite her diagnosis.

Alana's parents are open to medication-based treatment, but in line with national guidelines, this is rarely offered to patients with ADHD under the age of six.

Meanwhile, Guernsey's mental health facility for children does not take referrals based on behaviour unless at least two mental health issues are present.In addition, a social care team said that there were no alternative crisis interventions available for children of Alana’s age.

The States had nothing further to add about Alana’s case or her parents’ concerns.

Chantelle told ITV News: "We need a multi-disciplinary and less therapeutic intervention, with more medical support.

"Neurodevelopmental [conditions] are a disability. It affects her entire life and ours.

"If she were to have a heart condition, for example, they wouldn't refuse to treat it before the age of six. It's not fair to leave children like this."