Managing Editor's Note: Below is a research paper written by our Contributing Editor Natalie Palumbo, who is a freshman at Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, and sister to an older brother with autism.
By Natalie Palumbo
The Safety of Low and Non-Verbal People in the Autism Community
The definition of Autism has evolved since the early 1990s. Symptoms and severity vary, so Autism is referred to as a 'spectrum' disorder (ASD). For many families, the diagnosis raises many fears as well as questions. Keeping their children with autism safe is the concern most agonizing.
The specific needs of people with low-verbal and non-verbal autism can be extremely challenging to manage in a public setting. Professionals in public service need to be educated on autism so they understand these challenges, and decrease the likelihood of misunderstandings that can lead to tragedy.
There is an ongoing issue of safety among those with low-verbal and non-verbal autism. Many parents share similar concerns about proper care, and high instances of reported abuse makes parents more apprehensive to trust. After conducting an informal survey, most parents reported being fearful of wandering, and drowning, which are common occurrences in the autism community. People with autism tend to wander impulsively when not restricted by walls or barriers. Adding to that fear is the common tendency for ASD children to be fascinated by water.
Unless the child with autism can swim, the results can be fatal.
Pamela Mikes, whose youngest child has autism, stated that, “The multiple children found dead in, or by, new water sources just this summer, it almost seemed like weekly! This is the biggest fear ever being the parent of a child with autism by far.” Many in the autism community are also prominent advocates, and took the time to share their perspectives. Mark Blaxill is a Harvard educated business consultant, published author, autism advocate, and Editor at the daily Web magazine ‘Age of Autism’. According to Blaxill, a significant safety issue for people with autism is abuse from caregivers, and neglect in medical facilities.
Surveillance videos of children with autism being abused in school settings can be easily accessed by web news and social media. David Baier, teacher at the Alternative Education Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida was convicted of physically abusing a twelve-year-old student with autism, which was captured by surveillance video recorded in July 2012. According to the police report, this child was misbehaving on a school field trip, and Baier was put in charge of managing the student. The child was taken to Baier’s classroom, and instructed to stand for five minutes. The child crouched down, and Baier scolded him to stand back up, then grabbed the child by the hair to force him to stand. The child was then told to sit so Baier could address his behavior. Baier threatened to throw the boy to the ground, then pulled the student from his chair, threw him to the floor, and pinned him down. According to police, the child did not seem physical or violent (WLPG Local 10 Miami News).
Jennifer Larson, who has a son with autism, says she is fearful for the future when she is, “not there to protect [her son] from abuse”. Many autism parents fear for the safety of their children when they can no longer care for them. Baier was charged with two counts of child abuse. In April 2013, Baier was arrested again following additional accusations of abuse by other parents (WLPG Local 10 Miami News). Parents hope abuses never happen to their children, especially if they are vulnerable with a disability. Pam Preschlack has a fourteen year old son with autism. Preschlack is very concerned about, “cruel people who could take advantage of [her son] Will”. Preschlack tries not to let her, “mind wander there”, which is a sentiment shared by many autism parents.