Survey reveals half of autistic adults "abused by somebody they trusted"

Samantha Cameron (2nd left), wife of prime minister David Cameron, speaks with playworker Paige (left) and eleven 12 months-outdated Nathaniel Restal, who has autism spectrum disorder. Photograph: Oli Scarff/PA

There is a “devastating scale” of neglect and abuse skilled by adults with autism, a charity has warned.

Several are staying at residence since they are afraid of currently being abused or harassed, the National Autistic Society (NAS) stated.

Individuals with autism can locate it hard to interpret other people’s motivations and as a end result can be taken advantage of or manipulated, the charity said.

Half of one,300 sufferers questioned by NAS explained they had been abused by someone who they imagined of as a friend, 37% stated they had been manipulated to do anything they did not want to do by these so-called friends and 44% mentioned fear of abuse or harassment led them to not want to leave the residence.

Meanwhile a quarter of those polled explained they have had their income or possessions stolen.

The charity said that the poll revealed that numerous grownups with the issue are becoming neglected.

Two thirds mentioned they call for somebody to prompt them to wash, dress or feed themselves. But seven in 10 of these sufferers explained they had missed meals because they don’t get this help and 86% explained they had not washed.

NAS raised concerns that alterations to the care method could mean this type of neglect could turn out to be a lot more commonplace. A spokesman said that the government’s proposals recommend that people will be eligible for care and assistance if they need to have “support”, which may not always consist of prompting.

Mark Lever, chief executive of NAS, explained: “These alarming figures paint a depressing picture of the horrendous abuse and neglect knowledgeable by numerous adults with autism.

“We have heard deeply distressing stories of males and girls living in utterly intolerable situations, exploited physically and financially by supposed buddies or unable to care for themselves with out support.

“1 skilled informed us of a guy who had been identified at house struggling from extreme malnutrition and with mould expanding on his skin as he was unable to feed or clean himself without having prompting.

“We know that many people with autism are ready to live fairly independent lives, but many other folks require assistance to stay risk-free and healthful.

“The government’s changes to the care system offer you a chance to help these at-danger men and women. However, we are extremely concerned that the existing proposals as they stand do not recognise the simple needs of these a lot more vulnerable people with autism.

“It really is not as well late. The eligibility criteria have to be revised so that they explicitly recognise the help demands of these at risk of abuse and neglect and safeguard some of the most vulnerable men and women in society.”

Survey reveals half of autistic adults "abused by somebody they trusted"