A Family Perspective
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Last year the subject of young people with autism and/or learning disabilities being detained unnecessarily in Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs) gained coverage in national press. These in-patient facilities are intended for the short-term assessment, treatment and stabilisation of people with mental health conditions who display challenging behaviours. Shockingly though, there are young people […]
Government responds to petition
The Government has officially responded to a petition calling to put a stop to the detention of people with autism and learning disabilities in Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs). Practices in ATUs includes the use of medication to sedate individuals, seclusion in padded cells, and physical face-down ‘prone restraint’ with the average stay being a […]
News
CAMPAIGN FOR ACCESSIBLE TOILET FACILITIES
Over a quarter of a million men, women and children in the UK need access to public toilet facilities that go one step further than traditional ‘disabled toilets’. Facilities that simply have a handrail next to a toilet are just not sufficient for people with very complex needs or profound and multiple learning disabilities. Nathalie […]
Very real concerns over report into ATUs
Paul de Savary This week Secretary of State for Health & Care, Matt Hancock announced an ‘immediate’ review, to be carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), into practices in Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs), including the prolonged seclusion and long-term segregation used in the ‘care’ of individuals with complex learning disabilities and autism. […]
National Stress Awareness Day
Stress is often described as one of the major barriers to leading a fulfilled life for people with autism. It affects those across the spectrum at all stages of their lives. Of course, stress can affect everyone, but there is growing awareness that autistic people may be particularly susceptible to continued high levels of stress […]
Sky News report into Assessment and Treatment Units
You may have seen a series of reports on Sky News this week, where health correspondent Paul Kelso spoke about the abuse of ATUs – in-patient facilities intended for the short-term assessment, treatment and stabilisation of people with mental health conditions who display challenging behaviours. Individuals with a learning disability or autism are supposed to […]
Mandatory learning disability and autism training debated
Two years ago, 18-year-old Oliver McGowan died after being given anti-psychotic medication against the wishes of him and his family. The teenager, had mild autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. His family believe his death could have been prevented if relevant training had been given to healthcare professionals. As a result, his mother, Paula […]
International Friendship Day
Yesterday was International Friendship Day – a day to promote friendship across cultures, famously celebrated in South East Asia with the giving of cards and gifts. The UK may not share in this level of festivity; however the day is a timely reminder to appreciate our friends and reflect on what friendship means to people […]
