Deprivation of Liberty Order: Steven Neary

[Anonymous]

#4163

Hi all,I hope you won't mind me posting this here even though I've only joined the forum today.I have an adopted son of 20 with autism. He is called Steven. I was ill after Christmas and arranged for him to go to his regular respite unit for three days. I was told the following day that he had been moved to a "Positive Behaviour Unit" and was pesuaded to let him stay there for two weeks "to get myself back on my feet". A Week later, I was told he was being kept there for an indefinate period to work on his challenging behaviour. He hasnt been allowed to return home since.He is in a terrible double bind. In the four months prior to him going away, we had 14 incidents of "challenging behaviour" at home. If you understand about autism and what an "autistic meltdown" is like, then the figure of 14 isn't too bad. In the seven months Steven has been at the "Positive Behaviour Unit", they have recorded 306 "incidents". Lots of experts in the autism field have contacted me to confirm that greater levels of aggression = greater levels of anxiety but social services are refusing to acknowledge this. Earlier this year, Steven was left unsupervised in the care home (and there were only 2 other residents), left the house and met a vicar whose glasses he removed. As a consequence of this, the local authority served Steven with a Deprivation of Liberty order. On that afternoon, Steven was left unsupervised and left the premises on his own. I've never been able to find out exactly how long he was on his own. To this day, the Authority havent acknowledged they failed in their duty of care that afternoon. I'm not into blame at all but it seems that to cover up their own failure, Steven is to some extent, carrying the can. The vicars glasses incident happened on 16th April. On 17th April, I met with the manager to discuss and agree the next phase of Steven's transition home programme. On 19th April, Steven was served an emergency Deprivation of Liberty Order, which is still in place. The order wasnt mentioned during the meeting on 17th April and on the 18th April, Steven went swimming without incident and came for a home visit without incident. I've never received an answer as to why the order was served, and why was it served at that particular time.The latest bombshell is that they want to move Steven to an out of borough specialist unit to work on his "extreme challenging behaviour". This will cause untold damage as he will lose his normal support workers, his friends and all the places he goes to that are so important in helping him feel secure.There is a money angle to this case. It is becoming increasingly clear to me and Steven's supporters that the Local Authority are trying to shift the cost of Steven's support package on to the PCT and the only way they can do that is by exagerating the challenging behaviour because that will score him more points and move him into PCT funding category.I could write reams on this story but really came here to ask if you would be willing to a) find out more about this case and b) if you agree, sign the petition to allow Steven to return home.You can find the petition http://www.Petitiononline.com/Steven/petition.htmlThere is a Facebook group - Get Steven Home which you can find at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134345726596848 and gives lots more information, including links to newspaper and radio articles.Thanks for reading this and if you feel you can, please pass this on to family and friends. Steven just wants to be home with his family and friends who he has lived with quite happily and successfully for the last 15 years.

[Anonymous]

#5555

The petition has hit 2000 signatures in just over 5 weeks. Thanks to everyone for their invaluable support.

[lifebulb]

#8842

Experiencing a panic attack can be an overwhelming and scary experience, and it can be difficult to know how to help someone who is going through one. Panic attacks are sudden and intense feelings of anxiety that can cause physical symptoms such as chest pain, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Here are some tips on how to help someone having a panic attack.

Remain Calm
The first step in helping someone having a panic attack is to remain calm yourself. Panic attacks can be contagious, and if you become anxious, it can exacerbate the situation. Stay calm and focused, and speak to the person in a soothing and reassuring tone.

Create a Safe Environment
It’s important to create a safe and comfortable environment for the person experiencing the panic attack. If possible, move them to a quiet and peaceful area where they can feel safe and secure. Turn off any loud noises or bright lights that may be triggering their anxiety.

Encourage Slow Breathing
One of the most effective ways to help someone having a panic attack is to encourage slow breathing. Rapid breathing is a common symptom of panic attacks and can cause hyperventilation, which can make the symptoms worse. Encourage the person to take slow, deep breaths and breathe in through their nose and out through their mouth.

Use Positive Affirmations
Using positive affirmations can help the person experiencing the panic attack to focus on positive thoughts and reduce their anxiety. Remind them that they are safe and that the panic attack will pass. Use phrases such as “You are safe,” “You can do this,” and “This will pass.”

Be Supportive
It’s important to be supportive of the person experiencing the panic attack. Reassure them that they are not alone and that you are there to help them. Listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. Offer to stay with them until they feel better and encourage them to seek professional help if needed.

Avoid Judgement
It’s important to avoid judgement when helping someone having a panic attack. Don’t tell them to “calm down” or dismiss their feelings. Panic attacks are a real and serious condition, and the person experiencing the panic attack needs understanding and support.

Help Them Seek Professional Help
If the person experiencing the panic attack has frequent or severe panic attacks, it may be necessary for them to seek professional help. Encourage them to talk to their doctor or a mental health professional about their symptoms and treatment options.

In conclusion, helping someone having a panic attack requires a calm and supportive approach. Encourage slow breathing, use positive affirmations, and create a safe and comfortable environment. Remember to be supportive and avoid judgement, and if needed, help them seek professional help.

Get your therapist at https://www.lifebulb.com/blogs/how-to-help-someone-having-a-panic-attack

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