Would a non disabled person be treated this way? A late middle aged autistic and schizophrenic man, we'll call him 'Paul', has 2 falls. Paul's pain dismissed as 'psychological'. 7 weeks later x ray reveals a broken femur. Paul's daughter starts a negligence claim on his behalf.Much is made of Paul's autism and SMI. Described as having 'impaired cognition'( tests created and normed by psychometricians put IQ between 142-152). Much made of psychiatric/psychological issues. Intent devaluing and dismissing his experience as the person who had the falls.
Totally irrelevant past history of self harm mentioned. Paul's last self harm- over 15 years ago.Much is made with good reason as to lifestyles of those with ASD and/or SMI and premature mortality. But situations like Paul's show that stigmatising attitudes by health pros can also be a means by which life expectancy is reduced.
Paul is not the only autistic and/or schizophrenic person to have been subjected to such ignorant and stigmatising behaviour. Attitudes need to change. Treating people like Paul this way is both counterproductive, and to put it bluntly, utterly stupid.
How many autistic and/or schizophrenic persons subjected to such an attitude decide to keep future health issues to themselves, with sometimes fatal consequences?
