The Times: The system for intervention in the lives of neglected children is woefully inadequate and intellectually and economic

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Posted by
Nia Charpentier

on 4th September 2009

at 12:44

Hi Everyone!

I thought this article looked interesting too. What do you think?

Nia :-)

The system for intervention in the lives of neglected children is woefully inadequate and intellectually and economically flawed

Times Online 04-Sep-2009

...boys are on the autistic spectrum and have poor speech and language skills.These boys had their fate written for them: perhaps from birth. So there are no surprises, but that’s precisely my point. Everybody knew this, but nobody did anything. The authorities stayed in their silos, guarded their threadbare budgets, watched their backs and let the slow motion tragedy unfold. Why? Because that’s what...

Posted by
bumblebee

on 4th September 2009

at 13:33

I felt a bit horrified actually! I'm not familiar with the story as I can't have the news on in my house (highly anxious daughter...that is another story though!) Is Autism now viewed to be a possible cause of these children's actions or is this a reporter speculating that this behviour is an autistic trait as such? I can understand a very vague link if they are saying, there are many children on the spectrum going without appropriate support and thus become children with very challenging behaviour....I live with one of those children, although she harms herself, not others.......but I have never met an Autistic child with challenging behaviour that is highly motivated to go out of their way just to hurt other people, or that has planned an outburst of behaviour...it has (in my expierience) always been a reaction to sensory overload, someone getting in the way of highly self-directed behaviour etc......What do you think?

Claire - Community Champion

Posted by
Josie Barnshaw

on 4th September 2009

at 14:06

Hi Girls

I have just read the article and I can see where he is coming from as far as the kids that need help, need it urgently - not two years later. BUT I agree with Claire, I have never seen an autistic child deliberately and maliciously harm anyone else. I have seen frustration and circumstances cause aggressive behaviour in a few children. I have seen an adult on the spectrum with some serious violent tendencies but that adult was not diagnosed at the time and had received no interventions of any kind. Having said that this subject doesnt just apply to those on the spectrum; there is a whole myriad of other psychological, psychiatric and medical conditions if left untreated can lead to situations that could be avoided.

Josie - Community Champion

Posted by
Leanne

on 27th September 2009

at 12:05

I have just read this post and I must admit that I have seen that malicious side to Johnathon.He likes getting people into trouble and he has said that in the past he enjoys seeing me upset..a concerning side to him.He doesnt seem to have emotional attachment to anyone.

He lies alot and I feel because he really does have a hard time expressing and understanding his emotions it does build up inside.

I have never seen him lose his temper, which I know to alot of people may see as being good but I worry its all being stored up... maybe I am wrong and he does just let it go.

Also he is so self driven and can justifiy any behaviour especially if he feels he has been hard done by.. he does not have the maturity to think through his actions and realise the consequences of them.

How do you teach a child to care about someone if they dont seem to care about themselves.. very difficult.We are left completely to it and its wrong.