Yet Again

You're right Perdu and Giddy. Accounts in the press and on this forum about the abuse of autistic people in Assessment and Treament Units make it clear that very urgent action is required. It is no exaggeration to say that lives are at risk, and sanity too.

Naively, I thought an autism diagnosis would prevent behaviour being misunderstood and inappropriately punished. I wrongly assumed Assessment and Treatment Units would aim to mimimise distress and encourage coping and self-soothing strategies. 

If the person being abused (or a relative or supporter) speaks up, the establishment moves in and attempts to destroy their credibility. There are so many precedents - Connor Sparrowhawk and Sara Ryan, Beth and her Dad, other cases we cannot name. 

I'm still reeling from the fact that Alexis had to flee the country and live in exile to be safe. Fortunately she had the resources to save herself, but most autistic people don't. We need to feel safe, we need to feel understood, we need to feel confident that Assessment and Treatment Units will not abuse us.  

We need confirmation that NAS is pursuing this with the utmost rigour and urgency. 

The people responsible must be held to account for this appalling abuse.  

the biggest problem is these units are run for profit by private companies that's why in my opinion autistic people are being held there against theirs and their families will because its profitable

You are right Giddy, the need to derive profit from service provision can seriously undermine the quality of care. A key factor is recruitment and retention of suitable staff. Although ATUs have announced and unannounced inspections this doesn't go anywhere near preventing abuse from occurring. 

Protection from abuse needs to be an intrinsic part of the culture of the establishment. In cases such as Alexis' staff fail to see the person as deserving of dignity and respect. They simply become the 'object' of treatment, coercion and enforced compliance. Family and friends who try to intervene are targeted and disempowered too. 

I am thinking too about members of staff who have tried to report institutional abuse, and been vilified and punished for it. This further undermines any attempt to keep people safe when they are at their most vulnerable. 

Sunflower said:

There have been repercussions, some of which were extremely nasty and potentially dangerous. I was disappointed in colleagues and managers who would not speak up and even helped to cover up. 

I've found that most NTs have a very flexible moral compass. They can easily become blind if it suits them.

So true - I remember reading research on long term outcomes for whistleblowers years ago - needless to say they usually weren't good.

More recently I heard a radio interview with a care worker who was struggling to get work after drawing attention to unacceptable care standards in her previous work setting. It's very depressing.

I've always spoken up about institutional abuse, criminal activity at work and financial irregularities. Paying a high price in employment terms was better than losing my integrity. 

There have been repercussions, some of which were extremely nasty and potentially dangerous. I was disappointed in colleagues and managers who would not speak up and even helped to cover up. 

Yes, that perception and assumption is really unhelpful. It's a bit the same with getting older - I am sometimes treated as an 'old dear' who can't manage to do things myself. 

Yes, that perception and assumption is really unhelpful. It's a bit the same with getting older - I am sometimes treated as an 'old dear' who can't manage to do things myself.