Adult Autism and Related Disorders Care and Treatment in NB?
Does it even Exist?
Dear Mr. Higgs, Mr. Coon, Mr. Melanson, Mr. Austin:
I sent the adult autism care message included below and shared on Facefook more than 2 years ago. Since then the Ombud Failure to Protect Report has exposed the horrendous conditions at the Restigouche Hospital which includes an alleged "Autism" Unit.
In addition CBC Reporter Karissa Donkin has exposed the employee discipline mess in the Restigouche Hospital. This is an inhumane atrocity which clearly violates the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and Epilepsy.
I am asking each of you to look at the Children and adults in your extended families and ask if it would be alright for them to be treated like this as they become adults, vulnerable adults.
CLOSE THE RESTIGOUCHE AND BUILD THE AUTISM CENTER & NETWORK FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE AND TREATMENT FOR PERSONS IN NB AT ALL POINTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM OF DISORDERS.
HAROLD L DOHERTY
QE II DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL RECIPIENT
AUTISM ADVOCACY
Please begin work on the 2015 NB Autism Spectrum Village Proposal developed by Paul McDonnell, so that my wonderful son with severe autism disorder and related conditions will live a full, humane life and not be banished to one of the inhumane settings chosen by current and earlier governments particularly the Restigouche Psychiatric Centre far, far from most families and far from the internationally recognized autism expertise that has been developing in Fredericton?
The proposal, including the centre, is based on humane, expert principles stated by Paul McDonnell in a 2010 CBC interview:
"What is needed is a range of residential and non-residential services and these services need to be staffed with behaviourally trained supervisors and therapists."
...
"In the past we have had the sad spectacle of individuals with autism being sent off to institutional settings such as the Campbellton psychiatric hospital, hospital wards, prisons, and even out of the country at enormous expense and without any gains to the individual, the family or the community.
Among the reforms that the UNB professor was calling for is an enhanced group home system where homes would be connected to a major centre that would develop ongoing training and leadership.
The larger centre could also offer services for people who have mild conditions. But, he said, it could also be used to offer permanent residential care for individuals with more severe diagnoses.
"Such a secure centre would not be based on a traditional 'hospital' model but should, itself, be integrated into the community in a dynamic manner, possibly as part of a private residential development," he writes.
"The focus must be on education, positive living experiences and individualized curricula. The key to success is properly trained professionals and staff."
