My panel oversees reviews into detention cases of autistic people. I see how the system fails those it should help
- Sheila Hollins is emeritus professor of psychiatry of learning disability at St George’s University, London
Not many people have to worry that their children will be forcibly removed or locked away from society. Yet this is something I do worry about. My autistic son, who also has a learning disability, experiences the world differently. I am often in awe of his perspective, and he has inspired my more than 40 years of professional and voluntary effort advocating for better understanding, care and support.
When people like my son go into crisis there is a high chance they won’t be supported at home – not because they can’t be helped to live full, valuable and meaningful lives in their communities, but because our “system” doesn’t allow for it. Instead, they may be removed and taken, sometimes miles away, to an unfamiliar inpatient setting designed to treat mental illness, even though many are not mentally ill and do not need to be in hospital.
Lady Sheila Hollins is emeritus professor of psychiatry of learning disability at St George’s University, London and a crossbench member of the House of Lords. She is also the founder and chair of Beyond Words, the visual literacy charity
