text: I have experience of working with local authorities with my autistic son and there is one thing I have noticed, in their eagerness to ‘help’ they more often than not don’t bother to listen to the mother or father of the child/young adult concerned. They just view people as ‘cases’ and just want to put labels on them and’ file’ them away in some instituion or another, because it makes life easier for them. The people who live with an autistic person know them best and therefore should be considered the expert on ‘the case’. Having said that, local authorities differ all over the country, and there are very many wonderful people who work tirelessly and give much more than they have to, to help people with these problems.
  It is tragic situation for Stephen because autisic people need familar people and familiar surroundings around them in order to thrive. It is quite simply not right that Stephen be removed from a loving home and parent to be’ institutionalised’ in this inhumane way, just because his dad became ill. This is absolutely outrageous that in our so-called ‘civilised’ country, Our people’s civil rights are being abused right under our noses!
  Working for many years in an educational setting specialising in ASD, I sadly know all too well of these Respite Services. Also know how often we shudder when over stretched under trained young so short on life experiences land on a *case*..Human Being to you and I.
  What I’m most proud of where I work is where we use well honed skills laced with bags of common sense. I get hurt often as work mostly with profound pupils. What I know for certain is this. If a support worker in what ever capacity doesn’t bother to use or be trained in Intensive Interaction and Social Stories, how can they ever hope to gain any kind of insight in how an INDIVIDUAL communicates.
  What I would like to clarify though is that anybody with ASD can at any point develop Mental Health problems and or already have another debilitating condition.
  The best way to ever understand anybody on the Autistic Spectrum is actually no different from you or I. Know everything possible about the INDIVIDUAL. They can’t be fixed, there is no cure. There is only a need to be understood and enabled to function as best suits their needs.
  Poor lad and Dad. I love my vocation. I prefer to make not break. I’m ashamed of that group of *Professionals*.
  This story touched me as it has with others especially now. I have a 17 yr old son with the diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome and am in constant debate with myself over asking for him to be reassessed. Our local authority have changed the criteria for supporting people with learning disabilities. They now only offer services for people with LD and Autistic Spectrum Conditions but not Aspergers! If I pursue the matter, there are no services anyway. If I ask for an assessment, he will be referred to a team of people who are not trained to understand Aspergers or Autism.
  There are already notes in print on his files about his “challenging behaviour” in the past despite him now being a very polite, quiet and obliging person. He’s happy. He lives with me, his step dad and sister in a home where he is loved, supported and can relax. Is it any wonder parents continue to manage and keep quiet?
  I am so moved by this story that I’m struggling to write more but will absolutely support and share with our Autism network and connections.
  Poor Stephen and his Dad!!!! My autistic boy loves being at home and i dont want to imagine something like this could happen!! Life is scarey enough when you live within the ‘special needs’ bubble!!