Anti-Social Behaviour Campaign

[Davros]

I think BIBIC's involvement in this has been mentioned on MN before. The NAS is also involved. Here is an interesting article, must be from a North-East newspaper as the person who sent it to me is from there?

By The Sunday Sun

A pair of young lads - one aged 12 who swore repeatedly in public, the other aged 15 who stared obsessively at a neighbour over his garden fence - have two things in common.

Firstly, a court decided to issue an anti-social behaviour order, Asbo, banning them from repeating what they had done under threat of further legal action.

Secondly, they both have autism spectrum disorders, an umbrella term for people who display a range of behavioural patterns similar to those exhibited by the two boys.

In other words, they can't help acting the way they do.

In principle, I back Asbos, but cases like these give me pause for thought.

The 12-year-old had Tourette syndrome, of which swearing is a classic symptom.

The second lad had Asperger's Syndrome, which causes obsessive or compulsive behaviour.

Paul Shattock, of the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University, said:
"Those with autism or Asperger's do things that look bizarre to those who don't know about these conditions.

"They often find it hard to make eye contact with people but are constantly being asked to do so.

"They then over-compensate by staring too much and this makes people think they are being aggressive.

"Although the UK is probably the most tolerant society in the world when it comes to things like this, people still need to learn to be even more
tolerant. These kids and adults simply cannot help themselves."

The British Institute for Brain Injured Children, BIBIC, has discovered other instances where children with psychological problems have had
Asbos imposed on them.

Pamela Knight, BIBIC director for development, said: "We know of a child with Asperger's syndrome who had watched Art Attack on television and took his mum's salt cellar and wrote his name in salt on the ground outside.

"Someone called the police saying he was committing vandalism.

"But a child with autism given an Asbo wouldn't understand what is expected of them. It isn't that they are being naughty, or bad, they just don't understand these issues or concepts."

So, how are our police forces approaching the potential problem? PC Mick Hayton of Durham Police's anti-social behaviour unit, said there was little likelihood of an autistic person receiving an Asbo.

He said: "When we are going for an Asbo, it starts with an anti-social behaviour unit panel in the local authority area.

"That is all multi-agency and includes social services, education welfare and housing associations.

"All the agencies are told they can attend or send in a report that would flag up such conditions.

"Once it is flagged up, then we wouldn't seek to use an Asbo because it wouldn't be appropriate. Using an Asbo on someone with autism or
Asperger's would just be setting them up to fail and would defeat the object.

"Instead, we would involve the primary healthcare trust to see what they could do to help the individual."

I hope the safeguards that are in place work, and it is a situation I will be keeping an eye on.

[Jimjams]

Oh heck ds1 is always peeing over fences (he uses the slide to look over into neighbouring gardens, never slides down it. (he's looking for washing lines; could he get an asbo for that? )

[Chocol8]

Davros, I share your concerns, I really do. This problem, even though ds is only 7 is already worrying me.

Maybe we could all keep our eyes out for newspaper and magazine articles regarding ASBOs and ABCs and Autism? Then post them here to keep us all informed? Let's hope we don't have to post on here. How are you feeling today?

[coppertop]

There is a very heated thread on this on the TES site - if it hasn't already been deleted. Best not to read it though if you already suffer with high blood pressure.

[Davros]

Thanks Choc, today not too bad but general picture pretty bleak Have lots of pots on the boil, waiting for the next steps from Paed, School, Soc Svs etc. I keep thinking about starting a thread but just can't face typing the whole thing out. DS is definitely a candidate for an ASBO the way he is going.
Jimjams,do you mean peeing or peeping??

[coppertop]

I was just wondering about mini-Jams' peeing range too. (as you do.......)

[Chocol8]

Davros , though I know what you mean about not having the energy to start a new thread. Mind you, this one could rival MrsF! Well done!!!

Yes, I wondered about the peeing too!?!

I can't believe about the boy with the salt cellar - I was thinking, well at least he went outside! It's just ridiculous.

[Jimjams]

ROFL no that's the one place he doesn't pee

Just been (and posted couldn't help myself) on that AWFUL TES thread. Thank goodness ds1 is now safe from such awful, shocking, dreadful ignorance. If I ever met 'barriesmart' I think my behavoiour would be challenging (ds1 would probably be sweetness).

[coppertop]

It's a horrible thread isn't it? I haven't posted on it but feel so glad that barriesmart doesn't work anywhere near ds1.

[Jimjams]

barriesmart has to be the most unpleasant person ever. She should get together with that FLK GP. Sod buying an island for ourselves we could send the pair of them there

[coppertop]

How appropriate that Barrie Smart's initials should be BS. I'm still LOL at her claim to have an IQ of over 290 - while conveniently forgetting to mention which scale was used.

[Jimjams]

IQ of 290 seriously - I missed that bit!

So she trained as a clinical psychologist. Anyone think she chose the wrong profession as she now won't enter a restaurant for fear of coming into contact with a disabled person.

ROFL I've posted on there and its now being postulated that I'm someone I never heard of going under an assumed identity.

[coppertop]

LOL! Yes, someone commented that their ds had an IQ of 140+ and BS replied that hers was "double that and then some". When someone questioned this she said hers was 290!!! Apparently Mensa only let in the riff-raff with IQs of 148 these days. Tut tut!

[Jimjams]

You obviously don''t have to be a decent human being to score highly in an IQ test then.

Funny thing is I did a google search on her name and there are other ASD boards discussing her. ROFL

[coppertop]

Apparently the NAS has actually issued an official statement about the thread!

Of course now that we've mentioned her name we'll right on Google with all the others complaining about her.

[coppertop]

We'll be right on...etc


"right on!" makes me sound like an ageing hippy!

[Jimjams]

OMG there's so much ego massaging form those posters on there. "My IQ is genius level" "I know the president of the NAS we were at college together" well boogaloo - he obviously hasn't conducted much autism awareness with normal servise then has he.

[Jimjams]

It's still going on over there..... and there are threads about that thread.

Actually the TES website seems like a good place to be if you want a punchup - must be all those teacher types in one place (sorry hmb and other good teachers -don't mean it love you all really- actually hmb you woulud be horrified by that thread.)

makes the mad velcro cow thread look like a love in.

[happymerryberries]

Jimjams, just go back off holiday and caught up with bits of MN. I had spotted the thread before I went, and had thought it awful. I wondered about posting about it here, but in the end I thought that it would add to upset and worry and wouldn't help IYSWIM. Sorry if that sounded chicken.

I have become very selctive in what I read on the TES website. Far too unpleasent most of the time

[Jimjams]

I've been having a browse with my mouth on the floor tbh hmb! There seem to be rather a lot of know it all's (all terribly impressed by qualifications iykwim).

Is that what normal staff rooms are like? I know I used to be a teacher, but in an unusual sort of school, and ds1's school is a very happy place.

not chicken not to post- it is an awful thread.

[happymerryberries]

Not like that where I work but tbh, I mostly stick to the science staff room as I don't have time to go to the main one.

There are odd bods, but most people are reasonable. Understanding of SN isn't as good as it should be in some.

To be fair, the school I work in is good and has high morale. A lot of the teachers on the tes sound as if they work is some very tough schools are are a bit overwrought. Not and excuse, you understand but I think it is part of the reason.

If you are looking for some firework have a look at anythong posted by Eureka, not a teacher, he failed to finish his PGCE. He thinks that all formal teaching in the UK is crap and says so! He also thinks that children should only have to learn what interests them. He also has his own educational theories but sends his child to the state school rather than test them out by home edding his child. Every time he posts it is a blue touch paper experience!

[Jimjams]

I'm still browsing barriesmart/mavis, grouch (who is a particular know it all and seems a bit like the "you aving a go, I can take you on, outside" pub drunk) and normalservce/catforfbetty. The offesnive ones all change names so often I can't keep up.

There are a few sensible ones there as well- but I do wonder why they hang around. The ignorant aren't there to be educated for sure.

[Jimjams]

I know christie-the teachers at my son's school are all lovely as well. And the report we've just received is very funny, but in a very fond way iykwim.

I was telling my mum about the TES site- she was horrified, and thought those people weren't fit to teach anyone really. I now know I'm right to choose an autism friendly school for ds2 and ds3 as well. They don't need it themselves but I would hate them to come into contact with those sorts of attitudes, or see a child with AS/HFA or DS come to that being despised by people like that.

[coppertop]

I've just found the "support for barriesmart" thread. I can't believe that posters on there are so surprised that anyone can read what has been posted on there or why parents are so shocked/upset that (some) teachers are so narrow-minded.

[Jimjams]

The saddest thing about that whole forum is that there are several regulars on there who clearly know a lot about autism, including some very articulate people with AS. None of the support barry crew are listening to their opinions- they are twisting everything they say and being highly offensive about autism in the process.

I regret posting now, not because of the abuse I'm getting back (couldn't care less what that lot thought and I got to answer a survey about SN~ and inclusion- look at the SEN section if you want to fill it in) but because my posts are now being used to bully one of the posters with AS. He/She doesn't seem that bothered, but its horrible to witness.

If any of those people are teaching your NT children be scared, if they've got their hands on you autistic children be very very very scared.