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Housing and noise regulations for people with autism, can the NAS please respond?

Hope

Flats are often noisy, whereas houses are more likely to be quiet. Having grown up in a house along a very quiet residential road, I have always taken quietude at night for granted. I think I have inherited sensitive hearing from my mum, although she is not on the spectrum. As a family, we are introverted, and like an undisturbed night of sleep. I have grown up with fairly quiet neighbours, but sound insulation is good at my parent's home, even when we used to live in an ex council house. Night time noise has never been an issue before, but it is for me now, at my flat.

I think I am more sensitive to noise than so called 'normal' people because of my genetics, ie aspergers. Surely Councils should take our needs into consideration? Why can't they build special autism housing, that is to say, detatched houses in really quiet locations, with no traffic passing through? I wish. More realistically, what are my rights in this situation? What can I do?

  • Happy days quote "The Autism Act is a good piece of legislation, but I wonder how much teeth it has? I know that the Act is supposed to make the public sector aware of the needs of people with autism/aspergers, but I don't know how I could benefit from it?"

    The act is a framework like any bill, it has to be tested in court to establish the teeth as you put it, that involves court test cases to set presidences of law, HAPPY DAYS V NAS, so the problem is ? who is going to enforce the act via the courts, the NAS should be the advocate, but are looking the other way, whistling nothing to do with us.

    So you have a catch 22, looks go on paper, but the councils etc, will do the minimum especially under the current economical climate. Autistic people are emotional screwed so they can't challenge a court, so unless the parents or guardians challenge the situation this act will be worthless. The NAS should be grouping test cases together and being the advocate for the condition. Political this will not happen because they are just a vehicle of the state, which has hijack the autistic community with a state treasure chest to hush people off.

    The fact this act came from a MP's private members bill, this may be a reason why, so the state can be challenged via the courts because obvious there is a vulnerable gap which is not getting filled by the NAS and other state instititions.  

     

  • Thank you all for your kind words. It helps me immensely just knowing that there are people like you who do understand, and this forum is a good place for me to get things off my chest, which also helps me psychologically.

    Happydays: The Autism Act is a good piece of legislation, but I wonder how much teeth it has? I know that the Act is supposed to make the public sector aware of the needs of people with autism/aspergers, but I don't know how I could benefit from it?

    stranger: many social workers are kind people, but I wonder how many truly understand AS? My CPN is a lovely person, and is more understanding than most, but I don't think she really gets my sensitivity problems. I have similar problems because the noise is worst after 11pm. I can hear doors slamming, heavy footsteps, furniture being moved around, even taps being turned on!

    Crystal12: My CPN suggested noise meters, but told me that the noise has to be quite loud in decibel terms in order for it to be classed a nuisance. No allowances are made, it seems, for people with a lower sound threshold, who cannot block out sounds at a lower level. I have contacted my Housing Association by email, and they seem to be taking it seriously. I will get a full reply this week, so there is some hope. I really don't want to move because I only moved in 6 months ago, and change is very stressful. Also, the flat itself is lovely in terms of layout and space, with its own private front door. The noise is the only issue, bit it is a big one. I will certainly be looking into sound insulation, but as it is a Housing Association property (social sector), I don't know whether this can be done.

    autismtwo: Because sound sensitivity is a disability in its own right, this should be taken into consideration. It should not be dismissed, so I agree.

    stranger: I could certainly do with reasonable adjustments, like sound insulation, thicker windows etc.

     

  • There is the Equalities Act 2010. What you're asking for is a reasonable adjustment. (it being unreasonable to expect you to live somewhere noisy when noise makes your disability worse)

  • quote Crystal12 "Have you thought of approaching your landlord or another landlord to see if you can move to somewhere quieter or to see if they can install some sound insulation? Your social worker should be supporting you rather than dismissing your situation so please don't let her get away with that. If you wanted you could complain about her" unquote

    Good points Crystal

    The noise sensitive issues should have been done under assessment in the first place. Staying a flat ? Surrounded by strangers and noises,, this is the sort of basic stuff which is lacking in the autism sector. Special needs remember !

    If your mental health gets any worse, it is okay., you will get a sound proof cell at the mental health hospital.

     

  • Hi Hope - sorry that the noise problem is going on.  I don't know the law + how it relates to noise/autism.  I know that if neighbours are causing very loud noise then the council's environmental health dept can install a noise meter in the complainant's property + leave it for a period of time to record the decibels.  There has to be noise that goes on for a length of time regularly over a period of time.  Sorry I don't know the specifics.  Think very loud music several times a week, late night-early morning parties etc.  Taking up that option might not be of help to you.

    Have you thought of approaching your landlord or another landlord to see if you can move to somewhere quieter or to see if they can install some sound insulation?  Your social worker should be supporting you rather than dismissing your situation so please don't let her get away with that.  If you wanted you could complain about her.

    I'd also like to know if the nas or anyone else has advice on this as it must affect a number of people :  children + adults + their families, support workers etc. 

  • I've discussed this with my social worker and she seems to have dismissed it. I'm not sure she understands my disabilities at all.

    One of the reasons why I want to move out, is because of the noise next door. They think nothing of slamming doors at midnight or screaming at 11.30pm. (I know 11.30 isn't that late; but I don't want to hear it)

  • Cant you use the autism Act, its supposed to help adults with Autism to choose how they live and get the help they need to do this,  it also tells local councils and health services how they can help people with autism.  its supposed to make it easier for adults with autism to choose how they live and get the help that they need to do this.

     surely the sensory issues that you have with noise which are  stressing you out and affecting your poor mental health could be classed as affecting the way you choose to live. shouldnt the council then not be accommodating the sensory difficulties with relation to noise you are experiencing, particularly as it is affecting your already poor mental health.

    Id also rather like to hear what the NAS has to say on your rights in this kind of situation.

      

  • I would like to add that my old bedroom at my parent's house backs onto the garden, so all I hear is the rustle of the wind or birdsong. My life has suddenly become too stressful, and my already poor mental health is suffering.