Hello everyone. I just joined today. The only related forum I used before was WrongPlanet. I am diagnosed HFA. That was over twenty years ago. I have problems that have led me to being in trouble with the police and right now I do face a prison term. But the root cause of my offending, nothing to do with my autism, there is treatment available and one time when I was in prison before, I tried to access a programme and soon as they saw my health record I was excluded.
This time around, I had a pre-sentence report done and the NPS are flatly refusing the treatment programme, even one-to-one work although they have produced a report full of inaccuracies and untruths, things I never said. That interview wasn't recorded in audio but I did have a support worker with me and she has read it and mentioned other parts that are important and most certainly wants to testify in court.
My barrister called the report a work of fiction and wants to cross-examine the author. The judge has said things don't look promising but has given us a month to get a social services report, and a psychological assessment (which the NPS said would help them) .
But the report really was no more than a character assasination. And ought to be standard practice to be recorded, especially with my condition needing an appropriate adult even for police interviews.
"During the interview, he struggled to maintain eye contact". This is something I get all the time. It's a common mistake, a key component in my condition or Aspergers - why don't these people actually check beforehand so they may know what to expect when meeting someone?
I have made a formal complaint against the NPS and that means that if a report is under investigation, the judge is unlikely to sentence under these conditions. What the barrister has asked for is that a fresh PSR interview be done and with a different person. At the last hearing the judge refused this.
But with new evidence and official workers testifying, he may change his mind.
I want two things. One, the chance to develop understanding and control of my behaviours and addictions but secondly, to be treated fairly.
The report is claiming that because of my condition and the disruption I pose to group work through lack of social interaction, I am not suitable for the treatment programme.
But another carer for me, she has found evidence that says autism is notlisted as exclusion criteria.
I wondered if anyone here would be able to give advice or know how to go about getting a psychological assessment where at the moment, the court has not ordered tt?
That's it I think - thanks in advance.