General Chat

I'm still confused by this case, I have to say.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=134345726596848&topic=150

The father says:

> There have been 4 incidents over a 2 year period: the [assault on the] child at the airport; the near miss of the woman who happened to be pregnant at the gym; the vicar's glasses and once in a busy shopping precinct, Steven grabbed towards the veil of a Muslim woman (it was another near miss). That, I'm sure, is the extent of Steven's "crime sheet".


If I were one of those people, and had a very large male person (which Steven is) acting that way toward me, *I would expect action to be taken* to protect me.


> I've always believed that in the case of the people with facial adornments; the veils; the glasses; the hats - Steven is never attacking the person - it is the adornment he is focused on. ... In the case of small children and dogs, it is when they suddenly scream or bark, that Steven gets agitated.


And if I were the person with the adornment, I really wouldn't care what anyone's reason or motive was for assaulting me. I would expect that something be done to protect me and others.

And I don't see much point in the father's explanation that Steven likely didn't know that the woman whose hair he wanted to pull was pregnant. He expressed a desire to assault someone, as it happened a woman, as it happened pregnant.


It's fine and dandy to be concerned about the rights and welfare of Steven and people like him. I just don't understand why the rights and welfare of people affected by the actions of Steven, e.g., aren't worth considering. When someone is assaulted, it simply doesn't matter to them what the reasons or motives or logic of the assailant are -- whether the assailant is distressed by screaming children or barking dogs, or Muslim veils or vicars' glasses; harm is done to those people, and they are entitled to be protected from such harm.

I keep wondering how everyone here would be feeling if it were *their* toddler who was kicked by someone in an airport.


Oh, and Cynthia: "I am also concerned at the amount of violence towards other people caused by those who are not on the spectrum."

Is nothing done about those poeple? I think that anyone else who kicked a stranger's toddler in an airport would find themselves in a fair bit of hot water, and perhaps prison. No one suggests that that is an appropriate way of dealing with Steven's actions; I just don't understand why there seems to be so little concern about them.

It made me angry to see how Steven and his family are being treat. It must be terrible for Steven who will have been taken out of his daily routine which is what he needs. How can anyone take this young man away from his family. I have a daughter with autism. I will sign the petition now.
x

I do hope all went well with the family over the Christmas period because autistic folk tend to struggle with the upheaval.

Are there any plans for the wellbeing of both Steven and his family? Cx

just added to the petition. I think its a disgrace taking people away from their families when there is clearly no need.
Jan

Just to let those that supported Steven he is back home !!! Steven went home on 21st Dec so got to spend Christmas at home !

I share that concern too, but I am also concerned at the amount of violence towards other people caused by those who are not on the spectrum.


Earlier this year, I was speaking to someone who works in a prison for young offenders. She is firmly convinced that a high proportion of those she deals with are on the autistic spectrum, but that their condition has not been recognised by the health care professionals and social workers.

If these young folk had been diagnosed and supported during their early years, then perhaps trouble could have been avoided, and their outlook for life ahead may have been much brighter.

Andy Burnham who, until the last election was Minister of State for Health, was very keen to raise awareness of these facts within the judicial system. He was stunned when I told him that my daughter had only been diagnosed at the age of 32 despite the fact that we had recognised a problem with her at the age of 18 months. We had received no support due to lack of awareness from the professional bodies we sought help from and get precious little support now.


Anyway, I could witter for England as you well know ;) so had better draw to a halt before I get totally carried away.

Cx

Cynthia, I expressly said that I was not saying that the authorities are right, let alone that they are always right. So yes, I do know.

I also know they're not always wrong. And I certainly don't have enough information in this case to tell.

I do know that there was an incident in an airport when the young man kicked a small child. That's all I know, because his father claims in response that it is fully addressed at a post on a discussion forum, but I appear to be denied access to that post. I find it concerning, in terms of the safety of other people.

Well, I for one, am not jumping on any old bandwagon Janey. I have been living on that bandwagon for almost 40 years!

I have looked at most of the links and gathered the picture from the information given. Whilst my daughter is in no way as incapacitated as Steven, there is a lot in his story which I recognise.

Unfortunately, 'those in authority' are not always right you know. From years of bitter experience I am only too well aware that many professional health officials have a very limited understanding of the autistic spectrum and the needs of those who are on it. In the majority of cases, I would say that the ones who have the most experience of what is best for the sufferer are those who care for them. Not always you understand.....but mostly. They have lived and learned of how to work their days out over a long period of time. They know what works and what doesn't. They know what 'flicks the switch' and what turns it off.

What is needed is more care and support not only for the ones afflicted by an ASD, but for those who care for them too. Locking people away is too easy but is not the answer.


I know of a case of a couple who have a son who is now in his early 30's. He is an intelligent and gifted man with a good IQ who studied and earned a degree. However, he is disabled with Asperger's Syndrome and is unable to find employment. Like most other people with this condition, he doesn't interview well and many potential employers tend to be extremely ignorant of the condition.

When frustration sets in, he goes into 'meltdown' and his parents lock themselves in their bedroom until he calms down. They are loathe to inform the police because he is their son and they love him. His mother is fairly certain her son will commit suicide. They don't want him locked up, they want support and help for him and for themselves. They, like me, are campaigning to get more recognition for this condition so that people understand it better and act accordingly.

Fortunately, an Autism Bill has recently gone through Parliament but much still needs to be clarified with regard to the Autism Stragegy which is to be implemented through the DHS later this year.

For those interested in that strategy, here is a link


http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_113369




Cx

I'm surprised to see that no one thinks there might be another side to this story that they should consider before supporting one "side" over the other, and that it is possible that the "authorities" are acting in this person's best interests.

Note that I am not saying this is the case. I'm just surprised that people would jump on a bandwagon without actually knowing where it is coming from.

Unfortunately, because of privacy rules, they are not at liberty to discuss his case publicly, so no one is able to know what the basis for their decisions is. I do see references on line to Steven's violent behaviour in the past (while living in the family home), and I don't see the father being forthcoming about that, or the gathering crowd of supporters showing any concern about it.

Thank you so much to all of you for your support
Thank you Cynthia that was a interesting report

A bit off track but for those of you interested in the care of adults/children who have ASD

http://actnow01.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

I have just signed the petition, my brother has Aspergers and it wouldn't bear thinking about him being taken.
It must be a nightmare for his family.
Authorities shouldn't have this amount of power and should be ashamed of themselves at their treatment of a vulnerable adult like Steven. They have a duty of care which they are not upholding.
His family need a lawyer who will work pro bono on their behalf as there is legislation in place which is being dismissed by this authority such as POVA.

Katherine

Deanna lass xxxx

I have signed the petition and just pray that sense will prevail not only in Steven's sad case but in all other cases which are being dealth with...it beggars belief that in this day and age the guidleines and bye laws set out by council officials are allowed to take precedence over the love and understanding of one's fellow man ....at the end of the day we are all god's children, we should not be abused!

Love to Steven and his family xxxx

Joyce xxxx

I've just signed

"2106 Signatures Total" I hope he does get home. Must be so confusing for him.

Hi I have just signed this pettition
PP xx

My husband signed it today.
Deanna X

Nudged to get more people to sign the petition...




Nicky

I signed the petition and then tried to send the petition to my friends.
Only to be told that my
E-MAIL ADDRESS is invalid!
Brilliant!!
I will copy and paste this page if it okay with you?
Deanna X

Well I have sent it and as many of you are in my address book, I am sorry to say that you too will have an e-mail.
Lets hope we can do something .
Deanna X

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

It almost beggars belief that such a thing can happen in the U.K. now.

I have signed the petition, and would urge others to do so too.

To be away from familiar people and places (against your will) would be stressful for anyone, but for a person with Autism it is beyond stressful. It must be a living nughtmare, Steven is being punished just because his father was unwell. This is cruelty at its worst and an infringement of human rights.

My thoughts are with Steven and his family.

For those interested in care for adults with autism, this is an interesting read.

http://www.publicservice.co.uk/feature_story.asp?id=13684


Cx

I hope something can be done to get Steven home to his loveing family soon.
penny.