My respite client just scripted this

[whateveryouwantmetosay]

I look after an adult with autism.
He's 38, limited language, cognitive age around 3.
He tends to repeat what is said to him (delayed echolalia) instead of using spontaneous speech.
Tonight he said, "“Your gonna be a man when you grow up and not be autistic anymore because we don’t want to be autistic”

I am feeling very sad for him.
WWYD?

I'm honestly not sure what I would do about that one. Have you tried asking in the Fostering Section?

The first question would be is where has he heard this from and is he safe?

@whateveryouwantmetosay how are things now?

I would report this to social care. If you work for an agency, inform them too.

That sounds very sensible

He's disclosed now that caregiver will "smack his hand" if he "doesn't listen".

There no agency to report to. Caregiver is independent and contracted by government who have literally killed vulnerable adults in similar positions so reporting isn't an option here.

You absolutely must say something. If you don’t, you are complicit in the abuse. If you are in the UK , you must report this to adult social care.

I'm not in the UK and there isn't an adult social care here I'm afraid. There really isn't much I can do. He's a very happy guy who has a lot of vocal langauge but very low comprehension. Not everything he says he means (e.g. he may say "my tummy doesn't hurt" when it does). I'm gonna try and hold on to that until I see any other signs of abuse.

Advanced search says you are in the US, so you have adult protective services you could report this to.

Knowing about potential abuse but doing nothing about it makes you complicit in any abuse and is despicable.

Not in the US either.

You have to consider each side of the scale:

Side 1: report, may result in removal (likely will not), which due to lack of space will mean a revolving door of "caregivers" for 24 hour shifts based out of a hotel room.

Side 2: consider individual, their history, and current caregiver. Watch closely and monitor for behaviors that may indicate actual abuse (which to date we have only had some scripting, NO physical or emotional signs). Should other signs emerge, discuss with parent and escalate from there.

Don't try and gaslight me.

I am not gaslighting anyone. Knowing there is potentially abuse occurring and not raising that makes you complicit and is despicable.