Horrific Abuse of California Man With Severe Autism

 CBSLA photo as Shown on the NY Daily News 

Shows Horrifying Abuse of Man with Severe Autism

KCBS-TV  Los Angeles "Mom Sickened" and the New York Daily News "Tantamount to Torture" report a story of horrific, torturous abuse by professional caregivers of a 31 year old autistic man with the reported mental age of a 3 year old.  The incredible abuse was discovered after the man's mother noted bruising on his body and installed cameras which recorded the abuse.  The CBS video report follows but as CBS cautions this is disturbing especially if you are the parent, as I am, of a son or daughter with severe autism:

While the depravity of this abuse may be unprecedented similar abuse has been reported in the past. Security cameras unknown to the abusers have been the most reliable way of bringing such abuse into the light of day. In 2007 in a New York group home a severely autistic woman was beaten by attendants, abuse which was only discovered by cameras.  These are incidents where cameras caught the abuse of persons with severe autism and intellectual challenges, persons who could not speak up for themselves. The odds are good that where those cameras are not present similar abuses will occur and will go unreported. 

Cameras are the only protection many severely challenged persons with autism will have and should be mandatory in all facilities and homes where care is provided for those who can not speak for themselves. Severe autism realities must not be ignored, can not be ignored. If we ignore these realities, if we fail to protect our loved ones who can not protect or speak up for themselves we are abandoning them to cruel fates. Steps must be taken to ensure they live in decent, safe conditions.

Autism Rising in California: 1200% Increase In Autistic Disorder Cases 1987-2007

San Jose's Mercury News.com reports that a new California state study released this week shows a 12 fold or 1200% increase in classic autism, or Autistic Disorder, cases over a 20 year period. The state's general population grew by only 27% during that same period.


From 1987 to 2007, the number of people with autism receiving services at state-funded regional centers increased by nearly 1,200%, jumping from 2,701 to 34,656, according to a study by the state Department of Developmental Services.


....


In addition, the study focused on people with classic autism and generally excluded people with other autistic spectrum disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome and Rett's disorder.

The expansion of the DSM in 1994 to include several disorders including Aspergers Disorder and PDD-NOS is usually used by the Autism Epidemic Deniers to support their belief that changes are purely social resulting from the expanded definitions, greater services availability, greater awareness and diagnostic substitution. The focus on classic Autistic Disorder in the California is powerful evidence rebutting that argument.

The study also reports that mental retardation also grew by 95% during that time period, greater than the general population. That figue helps put to rest the argument that diagnostic substitution explains a substantial part of the increase in autism diagnoses.

Autism is rising.

Autism is rising in California.

If past performance repeats the Autism Epidemic Deniers will not be persuaded by the new California evidence.

No evidence will shake the faith of the Autism Epidemic Deniers.

autism

ABA and Autism Success In Modesto California

The Modesto Bee reports on the success story of Effie Linares an 11 year old autistic boy from Modesto, California who was enrolled in a Lovaas ABA program offered by Mila Amerine-Dickens at the age of 3. He is now in a mainstream grade 5 class. The Modesto Bee also includes a picture of Effie with 3 friends. All 4 boys are smiling and appear happy. Nothing "robotic" appearing about Effie Linares.

autism

Missing California Autistic Boy Found Safe 12 Miles From Home

Andre Hsu
Photo - Orange County Register

Andre Hsu, a 12 year old autistic boy with limited speech, was found safe and unharmed in Norwalk 12 miles from his home. The boy, who has been returned to his family, went missing after school and was found after calls to police in Norwalk. The Orange County Register reports police believe he probably got on the wrong bus.

His family is undoubtedly ecstatic to have their son home safe and sound.

autism