Concerns over autism hospital care in Cyprus have been raised after a family criticised the handling of a serious road traffic accident involving a non-verbal child on the autism spectrum.
The case involves a child who was injured on Saturday morning and taken to hospital following a collision involving two children.
The child’s aunt described the family’s experience, saying they felt the official account did not fully reflect what happened during treatment and hospitalisation.
Emergency services reportedly responded quickly to the scene, but the child was unable to be transported by ambulance due to severe distress linked to his condition.
At hospital, the family said they informed staff from the beginning that the child is non-verbal and requires specialised support.
Difficult hospital environment described
According to the family, the child was placed in an environment with strong sensory stimulation, which made cooperation difficult.
They also described an incident where a medical attempt to administer medication led to a severe reaction, with the child falling to the floor in distress.
The family said they asked for time and a calmer approach, stressing that effective hospital care requires tailored communication and handling.
Concerns over diagnosis and delays
The aunt also questioned early reassurances that the child was not in danger, stating these were given before all necessary examinations were completed.
She noted that the child had head injuries and an unclear clinical picture, while waiting times for initial results reportedly reached around five hours.
The family said the issue extended beyond delays, focusing instead on how hospital care in Cyprus was applied in practice.
Call for specialised training in healthcare system
The family highlighted what they described as a lack of specialised training for handling autistic children in emergency settings.
They said the only moment they felt the child was calm and safe was when anaesthesiologists intervened, using a calmer and more understanding approach.
“That was the first time we felt our child was in safe hands,” the aunt said, calling for improved training and structured protocols to strengthen hospital care across healthcare services.
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