General Chat

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




Nicky

My husband signed it today.
Deanna X

Hi I have just signed this pettition
PP xx

I've just signed

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

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 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

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'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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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'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.

surely what we all want is a thorough reviw of the situation for Steven, his family and many many more like him. Locking people away is not normally the best for anyone BUT neither is living at home with parents/siblings etc being afraid.
Compassion, knowledge, research etc is what is required. I can recall the time when anyone with dementia in any of its' forms was something to be ashamed of and people were locked away.
Of course this would all cost a huge sum of money and I can hear people saying where will it come from....I suppose it depends on how much we want it.
Someone well known or a parent who is strong and determined to lead is what is required and meanwhile let uis all remember "There but for the grace of god, go I".
For those of you who care for people with Aspergers and other such conditions All I can say is I pray for you all
.
Bridget

Thank you for your prayers Bridget, they are needed - believe me!


Morning Janey! Okay, I will try and be as logical as I can for 7.30am....lol

I spend a lot of my time, along with many other people, campaigning for the 'rights' of folk such as Steven but, I do realise, that with those 'rights' comes the word 'responsibility'.

The campaigning is aimed at making those in authority ie Government, Social Services etc., aware of the fact that people with autism and their families need advice and support sooner rather than later. If they get the appropriate help and guidance in place as soon as the condition is recognised, then the likelihood of 'incidents' will be lessened.


Unfortunately, very little has been done for this condition in this country in the past mostly because of lack of awareness by professionals. However, now that the Autism Bill has been passed through parliament and the Adult Autism Strategy is in place, councils have to be seen to be setting up plans to support people with autism.


Something to be looked at, is the possibility of the proportion of young offenders who may be affected but who have not, as yet, been diagnosed. There is the likelihood of many youngsters getting themselves into trouble because they are on the autistic spectrum or have an ASD or some kind. Quite possibly, their condition has not been officially diagnosed and their actions put down to vague 'behavioural problems'. It may be their families have given up on them because they did not have the skills to deal with those problems.


Now that the awareness level is being raised, authorities and experts are now picking up on young children who are showing autistic tendencies - which is good. Sadly, when those children reach the age of 19 - the transition period - there is little support available. It's rather like they and their families are being dropped into a black hole.


I am constantly saying to those I meet in my endeavours, that children with autism grow up to be adults with autism and something must be put in place to give them continuing support. There is also thought to be a high number of adults who are on the spectrum but who have never been diagnosed because of lack of recognition of the condition.

It is not unknown for some in their 40's and 50's to be diagnosed but there are still many of that age group out there who are struggling to make sense of life and are thought of as being 'odd' or eccentric.

To quote you:
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.

I would say that, of course there is concern for them and I can imagine the shame and despair that some families feel when their autistic family member behaves like this but, if these families had been given (to quote you again) 'appropriate ways of dealing with ******'s actions', then many such incidents could be avoided.


This is why I campaign so hard.


Off for my shower....see you later ~~~~~~~Cx

Very well put Cynthia for 7.30am better than I could have done !!

My point of view from a mother of a child very much like Steven, my DD is 14, the same height as me but twice the size. She has Autism, server learning difficulties, challenging behavior, and sensory needs.

The trouble with this country is the level of support is poor and in most cases parents do not get any where near the level of support they need until it is too late.

We knew from birth that my DD would have difficulties and we was promised the world of support none of which happened. The LEA insisted she went to main stream school she lasted less than a week !! A meeting was called and it turned out that my DD had been 'lost in the system. I was close to a break down before I got any support and before someone would listen to me, i then had to fight to get my DD asset for Autism.

Many things have happened over the years but more relevant to this thread fast forward. Nearly 2 years ago I had to fight to get reassessed for her sensory needs as she was becoming more agitated and having more 'melt downs' my concerns were that she was becoming more violent due to her sensory needs and I was becoming more concerned about taking her out on my own during school holidays. She was a prisoner in her own home, the council run activities during the holidays for disabled children but due to the amount of young children attending and the number of staff these are not suitable for my DD. It was agreed that various things could be used to help reduce her sensory needs and a support worker would be given to us to enable her to attend some of these activities. great that means mt DD would get out of the house and be able to join in so activities and I would get a couple of hours grace during the holidays and spend time with my other daughter.

i am still waiting, phone call after phone call and guess what her application was lost again, that was 6 months ago !

All of my DD life i have had to fight every step of the way so god knows what it will be like when she is 19 !!

Yes i am a strong woman and have a fantastic husband who supports me and is very hands on ! Buy what if i wasn't

Take the case of the lady who made her son drink bleach and then attempted take her own life. Very sadly the young boy died a tragic painful death. Social services were trying to take her son away from her. Where was her support before she found she could not cope..............

As soon as I got in the bathroom I thought to myself....."Janey is now going to come back at me because I didn't really answer her question about the fate of those who are attacked". Not even for you JC my dear, was I going to gallop down the stairs wearing only a towel (or worse) to add to this thread.

But now that I am back, I will add.....

Of course there is concern for those who have been subjected to abuse from those on the spectrum and those people should be cared for and treated as other victims would be. Agreed, I wouldn't want my specs yanked off my face or my hair pulled by a large and obviously disturbed young man but I hope I would have the grace to realise that he had severe problems. I would also want to know what help he and his carers were receiving.


My main point, of course, is that if the families/carers had more support and training in the first place, a lot of these issues could be avoided.


Covlass.....you have my admiration for your strength, determination and love. Although you must get so worn down and weary, you must try to continue to fight the cause. If you haven't already done so, use the Autism Act and Strategy as your essential weapons - contact your local MP - join the National Autistic Society - email your local newspaper. I truly hope that you get the support you so obviously need. Cx




Now I will go and dust my bedrooms....no rest for the wicked :))