I really feel this. I’m autistic and spent 13 months in a psychiatric unit. I was prescribed medication that made no difference. Because it was the wrong environment, it was loud and busy and bright and I couldn’t cope, but they thought I was just unwell. I was, but I’m also autistic. I now live in supported living with a charity that supports people with autism and learning disabilities and I’m making more progress in the 4 months I’ve been here than I ever made in hospital
As the parent of a young adult with Asperger's I am saddened, heartbroken, and enraged beyond any sense of reason by this story. To call it inhumane is being generous.
Dear friend, Can I ask a question. How did you identified that you're having this kind of disability by it self. Or self realised or maybe consulted by a doctor?.
This video brings tears to me. My son is autistic with severe learning difficulties. He will be 26 this year, he has a mind of a 2 yr old. I manage to look after him on my own since my wife died nearly 3 yrs ago. He can be very difficult at times but I hate the thought of what will happen to him after I am gone.
Isolation ordered by psychiatrists - who do they think they are to limit parental visits to one hour a day? This saddens and angers me so much. Shame on New Zealand's mental health system. My heart aches for the loving parents whose rights to care for their son were stripped from them by un unfair, ill-prepared system.
@Beatrix In Christ STOP spreading misinformation! Please. There's no miracles in treating Autism and THERE IS NO CURE, as it is a neurological condition. To say there's a solution is not only disrespectful, it's irresponsible. This promotes pseudoscience and lead desperate parents down an unhealthy path for the child and for them. As a family member of people on the spectrum and someone who works with autistic children, I know how these supposed miraculous "cures" can harm children and their families.
I got one call to my family a week and family visits once a month. But the facility was much better in other ways as they rarely put people in seclusion.
Ashley was relocated to a house in 2018 and is reportedly "immensely happy". It was quite unacceptable he was kept in seclusion so long, far longer than anyone else. That stated this is obviously reported from the point of view of his advocates, particularly his parents, and I heard (albeit at second hand) from nursing staff that he could be aggressive and difficult. But it's great he is out.
@@wemuk5170 Sorry I don't know any more except from what the press has reported. What I can tell you from those reports is that he is in a house in a rural area with three support staff (incidentally at the cost of NZ$850,000 a year). His parents were very concerned that the length of time he had spent in seclusion meant that he had become institutionalised and that managing his new situation would be difficult. There was a picture of him looking happy in his new house with his arm over the shoulder of a caregiver. Overall I think it is an expensive but great outcome for him and his parents.
Chris J Thanks, Chris. Over time when someone improves significantly from mental illness or tendencies towards violence, self-harm or suicidal behaviour, if he does not have MPLDs, he will end up with 121 or 221 support. 3 to 1 is very unusual. But I think life is worth it & I’m happy to hear he finally has a life. Not an existence.
I have two children with autism... i could not imagine them living a life like this. We have secluded our children from the world and live in the middle of no where on acreage just so they can live a normal life away from judging eyes. People have no idea how to think or treat children with autism. Its thought of so negatively when all i see is the beauty in it. I wouldnt have my children any other way. Life, to them, is so beautiful and perfect. They dont see gender, color or religion. What i see as a boring rainy day, they see as an excuse to go outside and play in it. I wish him and his family the best!
@@notmyrealname6404 ur not alone brother👊 we are a small few but in some weird way connected. I hope u find peace with ur thoughts. I work on finding peace with mine daily. Dont let ur thoughts cloud whats the most important, continuing to be a strong and committed parent. They are hard to find these days. Trust me i know first hand whats its like to come from a broken home. Your kid/s have u… and that is what is important!! Much love to you and your family brother✌️
There are plenty of parents looking after their sick children including with autism. Don’t believe the parents. Care of the child but don’t want to take him home and look after their son. It does not make sense for me.
My daughter is 13 and has high functioning autism. You are right about the isolation sadly. Her confidence and social skills are her biggest problems with ASD and it makes me want to cry every day, watching her struggle with everything regarding anything outside of the comfort of home.
I am living in New Zealand currently going through the diagnostic process with my psychologist to find out if I am autistic (level 1 without intellectual impairment), & I am completely shocked by this video! I had no idea self seclusion practices are being carried out in our mental health facilities, this is appalling! Once I get my diagnosis I am going to work towards helping the ASD community with creative arts therapy to help with self expression, that’s what we really need!
seclusion could cause mental illness. plus in seclusion the victim gets a sense that they don't need to look after themselves or need to be looked after. I think what the workers are trying to succeed in is to force Ashley to not be as excited about life which could make him experience depression. isolation might make him more calm but he still is going to be excited about life.
I have an autistic son. Ashley seems like a fantastic human being, and has great parents, and has such great features all around him - farms, rural space, ocean, surfing, etc. Kind of crazy that NZ is doing something so archaic as seclusion. That's not even humane for criminal prisoners. Crazy.
here in Norway he would have gotten his own apartment in a complex made especially for ppl with asbergers or autism, there are nurses and doctors on call 24/7 that are specialized in treating and caring for them, on top of that they are not locked up they can get picked up by family or have them vist at anytime.
It's difficult all around when adults can be dangerous. I feel for them, their families and also the caregivers at risk. I hope Ashley is in a different environment that works for him.
I would love to write to Ashley’s parents. When I saw Ashley in the forest I recognized how nature makes him almost like what most achieve through drinking or taking drugs. He is high on forest air. Nature, especially the sound and feel of water, soothes him. I am autistic myself, and have worked with autistic children for 7 yrs. It was the best time of my life. I learnt more in those 7 yrs than in all others together. The psychiatrists and other mental professionals sadly are still under the impression that autistics need to be cured or change, but not once have I heard that the so-called neuro-typicals should try for once to be more focused on deeper things in life with less noise. In stillness is where we connect to the source of life and when this happens we become very creative. Ashley‘s parents are exactly the kind of humans any autistic child would need. It shows by how much they love him, and how much he loves them. They know that in a peaceful environment Ashton would thrive. He is intelligent, funny, and caring. I love that he saw himself still as a little boy. He allows his inner child to play. It breaks my heart to hear about the place he is treated like a criminal. 6 yrs have gone by since this video was posted and I hope that he lives in nature now, in a fishing hut.
I can't imagine how it would have been like for me if I was treated like that when I was a young Autistic boy, seclusion is the worst way to integrate an Autistic person into society. Sure, Autistic people often need their space, most of us are very introverted, but that doesn't mean that they should be shut out of all of life, away from the love and support of their families and community. I'm absolutely shocked that a country like New Zealand could be so regressive towards something like this. I hope some progress has been made since this video has been made. Only real criticism I have for this video is that the music is too loud.
I was diagnosed kinda late after I got fired from every job. Not for being late. I spent about 10-11 years without talking to anyone in real life. I am very mentally sick because of that.
I know how hard it is. My son is Downs Syndrome AND Autistic. He was dealt a double whammy in life. He does have the mind of a 5 to 6 year old. He LOVES Halloween and Christmas. His bedroom is Halloween for 8 months than Christmas for the next 4 months. He loves scary movies! Other normal movies he calls bbbooorring. He did have grand mall seizures when he was 4 years old and seems to have outgrown that. He is now in a group home with other special needs people. He shares a 2,000 sq foot home with 4 bedrooms with two other special needs boys. His care takers are absolutely awesome. We can see him at any time we want and take him out with us every two weeks. We can visit him every day if we want but they advise against it because it would be difficult for him to stay at the group home. We call him several times during those 2 weeks and always sounds so happy. He hangs up on us since he has enough of Mom and Dad. We laugh about it because it shows his independence.
This is cruel and pure torture! How can this be within human rights? Most people have a certain tipping point to what they can stomach in terms of input before they become irritated but imagine you haven't got any filter and it all just becomes too much. To lock him up is just horrible and I am shocked that this is officially regarded as "ok" :(
My son is autistic.he lives in a marvelous group home.they keep him safe and happy.im very lucky i was able to fight for his rights to b eligble to live in this place!❤
My child has autism and working on his PHD yes he's hurt me in past due to sounds and don't fear him love him have faith in him. He's going to UW of Seattle Washington!!!
This was hard to watch ,I feel for him and his parents! Inhuman unfair treatment being locked up like that ! I think a better program like working with animals which he loves very much would help a lot!
I'm so angry watching this to think they put this poor guy in seclusion. How on earth is that going to help him. If anything is has probably regressed from where he was!
Ok. What crime has this man committed? To have been born different? So was I! Having been mis-diagnosed with several psychiatric disorders, I have been involuntarily hospitalized multiple times. This was in USA, prior to being correctly diagnosed with ASD. I have been locked in the quiet room a few times. It is Hell!!!! The walls are padded and sound proofed. The door is locked and there is nothing there but a mat on the floor. The staff take away your clothes and put you in a hospital gown with snaps. You are there for hours (luckily) with no contact with anyone, only your own thoughts. This is supposed to be calming! It is anything But calming! Placing a person in seclusion (solitary) should be a human rights violation. In a lot of cases, a person with ASD or mental illness are stripped of their rights, and treated as criminals, when in reality, they are some of societies most vulnerable people. Too often seclusion is punitive or for the convenience of the staff. How is this meant to treat/help anyone?
@@SuperBriancooper I made the comment 4 years ago. I had to quickly go through the video. I work with children within disabilities. Now, there are different methods to help them now than there were back then. You don't choose how your children will be born. However, if I did have a child with disabilities I would raise him alongside my other children. It doesn't mean it would be easy.
It’s really the saddest thing.. but people do not understand how violent they can be when there overly frustrated and angry. It’s dangerous to others and he’s a big guy. He can not be out in society like that but at the same time the facility should have better ways of treatment. It’s inhumane and disgusting. No one should be locked up for that many hours everyday. That is not helpful at all it’s lazy!! They just don’t want to deal with it
Unfortunately this is the reality parents of severely autistics have to face, parents can handle them when they are little but eventually they will get bigger and if they have severe issues and flaws; from wrecked walls and broken items in the house, there is possibility of them unintentionally attacking their parents, family members and people around them when they are having a meltdown fit
The parents need to say thank you to doctors and nurses who are looking after their disabled child on every day basis. Otherwise the parents have a chance to take care of their own son by themselves.
I sincerely hope that Ashley will be let out of solitary confinement, what has occurred to him is nothing short of a complete ethical and human rights failure made possible by sheer malpractice due to a staggering dysfunctional psychiatric care of New Zealands part. This is truly mind boggling from a psychiatric perspective. Shameful.
omfg..this hurts me. I am a mother of two kids on the spectrum and it is torture to keep a mind that is constantly exploring or wondering locked behind walls. I used to have a room that same size when i was in my Residential treatment center. We had two types of confinement as well: Isolation and Quiet rooms. ...Still affects me til this day. He exudes a light in him and they were trying to snuff it out. I am so glad his parents have continued to be the beacon to guide him.
I'm nonspeaking autistic. I learned to type my words as a teenager, and locked up and restrained in segregated SPED classroom. I was also in hospitals and in silent locked room with cameras. It's torture.
I work with autistic patients in a hospital and patients like him are so sweet but incredibly dangerous because they can become aggressive due to other people kicking off, loud noises and feeling unsafe. They usually attack members of staff but this does mean he deserves to be in seclusion! He needs to have a good doctor and social worker looking after him and he needs to be moved to an appropriate hospital where it is quiet and with less people to trigger him.
This is the chief of the geneva convention, please arrest the advocate for further investigation. Gross and severe violation of Ashley's human rights. Severe form of discrimination.
This is a sad disorder I know exactly how this is because I feel locked up by myself and feel really alone since I have had trouble fitting in and have bad social anxiety because of having ASD
if it helps HardyBoy I can very much relate even if it's not always true but what helps bring me peace is acceptance. Acceptance of whatever situation you are in it's fine to feel sad and loneliness ain't fun but all of us are alone together. Many of us forget that Work hard on being your own best friend and not only will you be more at ease you will be more optimistic about life for it too It made me far happier to accept I was alone than wishing I was not and I try to hold onto that value as a saving grace all the time good luck to you
12:54 They recognise that this is an adherent practice. What methods are there for the status quo to compel those with the ability to change this practice?
Why is he being kept in seclusion??????? He's a human with a development disability, he's not a serial killer or something! This is heartbreaking and so incredibly sad. He doesn't deserve this treatment.
It does say that he gets out.. but then assaults staff members and is put right back. Also his assaults on the public were the reason the police were called in the first place. Very sad, but complicated 🙁
I would think that getting used to being in seclusion would make his ability to deal with crowds even worse. Is there a technique to gradually get him accustomed to this? We know a lot more about autism than we used to.
Right I do not agree with the solitary confinement. They have to just put heads together. & figure out a way so that the people around the patients do not get hurt. Without putting them thru seclusion...i would think that would make behaviors worse.
This hurts my heart so much... my son has autism and I can’t imagine him ever being taken away from me no matter how old he is 💔 I’m so scared for my sweet boys future.
Hi Angela, the documentary raised a great deal of awareness of Ashley's situation. There are now a number of reviews and campaigns underway to change legislation and Ashleys case in particular!
I have autism and anxiety but I do know that people will understand that they will not be able to talk and help me or give them a hug and a high five and a community worker i know what they do it's not a fatal disease or an illness and I know being autistic makes me who I am sometimes it is in a different race
I don't get it, I would love living in that room and as far as I know that is because of autism. It sounds like paradise, meal on schedule, daily rigid routine... It ticks all the boxes that give me trouble by having to function in the normal world. Seems to me that someone "normal" HATES that they can't force someone autistic to be normal.
@@SuperBriancooper It is ridiculous to assume that autistic people like to be locked up. The OP might think that they would like it but they don't know until they have experienced it. So I asked and of course they didn't respond.
Bloody hell! Prolonged seclusion is the WORST possible thing for people with autism. They are not criminals, nor do they deserve to be punished. Even criminals don’t deserve that kind of treatment. It is not treatment, but torture.
Beginning to understand "THE SPECTRUM" part. Is there research to show a graph based on years since it was first defined? And any correlations to chemical environmental or other factors that could affect people?
Ashley is out of the unit now and the patients don’t want to know him, as Ashley have been looked after caregivers. Don’t believe what they are saying.
Ashley update please?! someone mentioned he finally got out of this awful situation in 2018? he's clearly an intelligent man (im not even seeing an intellectual disability) with plenty of knowledge to give
This is definitely a human rights violation and I suspect that eventually, that "rehabilitation" facility will be held accountable and made to change those isolation practices.
he’s a very kind person who can’t communicate to others and I feel really bad he been that palace for 10 ten years and it really annoying that they are not letting them film the place he stay and not letting to talk about his care it not very good at all and he doesn’t have the freedom to get out to see the world he is bright and he can do something on his own with support it should be stop to lock up people who got disability I’m really mad and up set the way they miss disrespect they should have a right to be free they should have a normal life and not to be lock up people that they are not normal it should be the law to not lock up people with disability and special needs they should have a better life when they can go in to the world do skills and learning with support I care about people who have special needs and learning disability I have special needs it time to stand up to learn disability and special needs 😀
This is a forensics facility. Why didn’t this documentary identify what crime was committed. You can’t be in a forensics program without being charged, and going through court process. This doesn’t give the viewer the entire picture.
I would rather have down syndrome than be painfully aware of having my autism and not being able to make deep connections with anyone or function properly
Macie Jones it sounds like he was made a 'ward of the state' or whatever NZ calls it. His parents 'asked mental health officials for help', which to me says they might have signed over his care? Not 100% sure.
Their son Ashley or however it's spelled can't help his autism, but I'm pretty sure he lost his right to freedom the moment it became apparent he's the kind of autistic person who attacks people for talking in a way that bothers him. What autistic people and the people who care about them often don't realize is that there are plenty of people who wish they could assault the autistic person to finally get them to shut up. Except, most of those people do not. If they do, likely they'll be autistic themselves. Regardless of whether or not such people can help it, the public deserves to be protected against such danger. Autistic people grow up, just like anyone else. They become physically stronger as they grow, just like everyone else. The damage they cause is real. He could easily have made the guy permanently disabled or disfigured. No one deserves that for just talking too loud. Parents that opinionated about what's right for their child should have done their utmost to prevent such a thing, instead of complaining about how badly their violent child is supposedly being treated.
Ashley is out of the mental unit now and I am wondering if the parents love and care about his son why they don’t take him to live with them. Caregivers and support workers look after Ashley instead of loving parents? I don’t believe what parents saying.
I'm assuming Ashley is in seclusion because he is a danger to others. People with disabilities can be incredibly angry and aggressive. I was the victim of an assault from an autistic person who was convicted, it was his third conviction. I thought I was going to die. The problem with shows like this is that the institutions are not able to speak about the individuals to give their side of the story. I am assuming that his parents are unable to care for him because he is unpredictable and violent. I don't mean to sound awful but being the victim of violence is devastating to those who work with disabled people and no one is speaking for those workers. Workers in the disabled field are second only to the building industry for being injured at work.
Hi Janet, agreed it is a complex situation. Here are some articles about the Ashley's case: www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11648771 www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11658550
Janet Donald sounds awful for you. I know someone whose son keeps hitting out for no reason so we keep well away. His mom is only interested in her son not being taken away and no regard for the victims.
Janet you are so right. My daughter has been attacked by a severely autistic person. Safety of the public and people that have to care for them should be paramount. Unfortunately there is just not enough money for them to have one to one care when their parents and family cannot cope with them anymore.
If he were a terrible threat they wouldn't have him walking about outside in the woods and down the street with his elderly parents. They would be liable were he to loose it and hurt someone so they would simply have his inside at all times or heavily guarded not just 2 aides and no restraints. Or at least I would think. It seems more of a convenience. Seclusion would simply exacerbate any violent behaviors. We have convicted child killers with more freedom. I am sure there is something between allowing him to run about with no control and caging him up like a dog. Of course others safety is important but other places have managed without this sort of cruelty
Autistic people aren’t monsters there geniuses most amazing and sympathetic towards mostly everyone but me having autism I know (normal) people are the only broken ones
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I really feel this. I’m autistic and spent 13 months in a psychiatric unit. I was prescribed medication that made no difference. Because it was the wrong environment, it was loud and busy and bright and I couldn’t cope, but they thought I was just unwell. I was, but I’m also autistic. I now live in supported living with a charity that supports people with autism and learning disabilities and I’m making more progress in the 4 months I’ve been here than I ever made in hospital
I’m so ver sorry I also am higher support needs autistic I’m nonspeaking and have been placed in seclusion and psychiatric units
Can we please get him out of solitary confinement. This man does not deserve this.
As the parent of a young adult with Asperger's I am saddened, heartbroken, and enraged beyond any sense of reason by this story. To call it inhumane is being generous.
Dear friend,
Can I ask a question.
How did you identified that you're having this kind of disability by it self.
Or self realised or maybe consulted by a doctor?.
This video brings tears to me. My son is autistic with severe learning difficulties. He will be 26 this year, he has a mind of a 2 yr old. I manage to look after him on my own since my wife died nearly 3 yrs ago. He can be very difficult at times but I hate the thought of what will happen to him after I am gone.
Im sorry ey. I hope he gets care🙏🏽
From a 20 year old with High functioning autism to A parent know that your child truly appreciates everything you do.
God bless you. Amen
God will watch over him and make sure he will be taken care of.
@@nomam7358 are u Canadian ey?
Isolation ordered by psychiatrists - who do they think they are to limit parental visits to one hour a day?
This saddens and angers me so much. Shame on New Zealand's mental health system.
My heart aches for the loving parents whose rights to care for their son were stripped from them by un unfair, ill-prepared system.
I HATE PSYCHIATRISTS
@Beatrix In Christ STOP spreading misinformation! Please. There's no miracles in treating Autism and THERE IS NO CURE, as it is a neurological condition. To say there's a solution is not only disrespectful, it's irresponsible. This promotes pseudoscience and lead desperate parents down an unhealthy path for the child and for them. As a family member of people on the spectrum and someone who works with autistic children, I know how these supposed miraculous "cures" can harm children and their families.
I got one call to my family a week and family visits once a month. But the facility was much better in other ways as they rarely put people in seclusion.
Ashley was relocated to a house in 2018 and is reportedly "immensely happy". It was quite unacceptable he was kept in seclusion so long, far longer than anyone else. That stated this is obviously reported from the point of view of his advocates, particularly his parents, and I heard (albeit at second hand) from nursing staff that he could be aggressive and difficult. But it's great he is out.
Chris J How is Ashley now in 2019? Is he coping?
@@wemuk5170 Sorry I don't know any more except from what the press has reported. What I can tell you from those reports is that he is in a house in a rural area with three support staff (incidentally at the cost of NZ$850,000 a year). His parents were very concerned that the length of time he had spent in seclusion meant that he had become institutionalised and that managing his new situation would be difficult. There was a picture of him looking happy in his new house with his arm over the shoulder of a caregiver. Overall I think it is an expensive but great outcome for him and his parents.
Chris J Thanks, Chris. Over time when someone improves significantly from mental illness or tendencies towards violence, self-harm or suicidal behaviour, if he does not have MPLDs, he will end up with 121 or 221 support. 3 to 1 is very unusual. But I think life is worth it & I’m happy to hear he finally has a life. Not an existence.
ANYBODY would be aggressive treated like that
Summer Dawn he was very aggressive b4 trust me I’m a first party not like this fake story ... now we have to cover his housing costs .. great
I have two children with autism... i could not imagine them living a life like this. We have secluded our children from the world and live in the middle of no where on acreage just so they can live a normal life away from judging eyes. People have no idea how to think or treat children with autism. Its thought of so negatively when all i see is the beauty in it. I wouldnt have my children any other way. Life, to them, is so beautiful and perfect. They dont see gender, color or religion. What i see as a boring rainy day, they see as an excuse to go outside and play in it. I wish him and his family the best!
@@notmyrealname6404 Always!! I always do… but i fear most what the world is and what its becoming.
@@notmyrealname6404 ur not alone brother👊 we are a small few but in some weird way connected. I hope u find peace with ur thoughts. I work on finding peace with mine daily. Dont let ur thoughts cloud whats the most important, continuing to be a strong and committed parent. They are hard to find these days. Trust me i know first hand whats its like to come from a broken home. Your kid/s have u… and that is what is important!! Much love to you and your family brother✌️
@Beatrix In Christ i dont know what doc herbs is but thanks for the info
when i heard him saying " we are very happy" , i felt like i was happy with him.
his eyes tell that he has a pure heart.
As an autistic man, my heart is breaking watching this.
There are plenty of parents looking after their sick children including with autism. Don’t believe the parents. Care of the child but don’t want to take him home and look after their son. It does not make sense for me.
Such lovely parents, love to see him jump and sing with joy!
But not interested in looking after him on every day basic,
Lovely??? Parenting is included looking after their so on every day basis.
Watch from 8 to 11 minutes the authorities toke Ashley they did not give him up or walk away from him
My daughter is 13 and has high functioning autism. You are right about the isolation sadly. Her confidence and social skills are her biggest problems with ASD and it makes me want to cry every day, watching her struggle with everything regarding anything outside of the comfort of home.
I am living in New Zealand currently going through the diagnostic process with my psychologist to find out if I am autistic (level 1 without intellectual impairment), & I am completely shocked by this video! I had no idea self seclusion practices are being carried out in our mental health facilities, this is appalling! Once I get my diagnosis I am going to work towards helping the ASD community with creative arts therapy to help with self expression, that’s what we really need!
seclusion could cause mental illness. plus in seclusion the victim gets a sense that they don't need to look after themselves or need to be looked after. I think what the workers are trying to succeed in is to force Ashley to not be as excited about life which could make him experience depression. isolation might make him more calm but he still is going to be excited about life.
I have an autistic son. Ashley seems like a fantastic human being, and has great parents, and has such great features all around him - farms, rural space, ocean, surfing, etc. Kind of crazy that NZ is doing something so archaic as seclusion. That's not even humane for criminal prisoners. Crazy.
Auditory therapy would help way more. Just know your son appreciates you never give up trying to get him out.
(I have high functioning autism).
here in Norway he would have gotten his own apartment in a complex made especially for ppl with asbergers or autism, there are nurses and doctors on call 24/7 that are specialized in treating and caring for them, on top of that they are not locked up they can get picked up by family or have them vist at anytime.
I wish I lived in Norway.
It's difficult all around when adults can be dangerous. I feel for them, their families and also the caregivers at risk. I hope Ashley is in a different environment that works for him.
I would love to write to Ashley’s parents. When I saw Ashley in the forest I recognized how nature makes him almost like what most achieve through drinking or taking drugs. He is high on forest air. Nature, especially the sound and feel of water, soothes him. I am autistic myself, and have worked with autistic children for 7 yrs. It was the best time of my life. I learnt more in those 7 yrs than in all others together.
The psychiatrists and other mental professionals sadly are still under the impression that autistics need to be cured or change, but not once have I heard that the so-called neuro-typicals should try for once to be more focused on deeper things in life with less noise. In stillness is where we connect to the source of life and when this happens we become very creative.
Ashley‘s parents are exactly the kind of humans any autistic child would need. It shows by how much they love him, and how much he loves them. They know that in a peaceful environment Ashton would thrive. He is intelligent, funny, and caring. I love that he saw himself still as a little boy. He allows his inner child to play. It breaks my heart to hear about the place he is treated like a criminal. 6 yrs have gone by since this video was posted and I hope that he lives in nature now, in a fishing hut.
I can't imagine how it would have been like for me if I was treated like that when I was a young Autistic boy, seclusion is the worst way to integrate an Autistic person into society. Sure, Autistic people often need their space, most of us are very introverted, but that doesn't mean that they should be shut out of all of life, away from the love and support of their families and community. I'm absolutely shocked that a country like New Zealand could be so regressive towards something like this. I hope some progress has been made since this video has been made.
Only real criticism I have for this video is that the music is too loud.
I was diagnosed kinda late after I got fired from every job. Not for being late. I spent about 10-11 years without talking to anyone in real life. I am very mentally sick because of that.
It's abuse. he doesn't understand the way he is
?
I know how hard it is. My son is Downs Syndrome AND Autistic. He was dealt a double whammy in life. He does have the mind of a 5 to 6 year old. He LOVES Halloween and Christmas. His bedroom is Halloween for 8 months than Christmas for the next 4 months. He loves scary movies! Other normal movies he calls bbbooorring. He did have grand mall seizures when he was 4 years old and seems to have outgrown that. He is now in a group home with other special needs people. He shares a 2,000 sq foot home with 4 bedrooms with two other special needs boys. His care takers are absolutely awesome. We can see him at any time we want and take him out with us every two weeks. We can visit him every day if we want but they advise against it because it would be difficult for him to stay at the group home. We call him several times during those 2 weeks and always sounds so happy. He hangs up on us since he has enough of Mom and Dad. We laugh about it because it shows his independence.
It was Extremely difficult to watch this video. It's inhumane.
This is cruel and pure torture! How can this be within human rights? Most people have a certain tipping point to what they can stomach in terms of input before they become irritated but imagine you haven't got any filter and it all just becomes too much. To lock him up is just horrible and I am shocked that this is officially regarded as "ok" :(
I So agree with you. Isn't it absolutely disgusting to think this can happen right here in NZ. Shame on you DHB!!
I agree love. 😔
My son is autistic.he lives in a marvelous group home.they keep him safe and happy.im very lucky i was able to fight for his rights to b eligble to live in this place!❤
Why not use ear plugs? I have Asperger S. and find that this helps a lot. A quiet room is preferred but not solitary.
please help this guy someone.he doesnt deserve this
Parents have responsibility to look after their son. It does not matter if the son is sick or not sick.
My child has autism and working on his PHD yes he's hurt me in past due to sounds and don't fear him love him have faith in him. He's going to UW of Seattle Washington!!!
🖤💪
Thank you much for sharing! ! It means so much too me. God bless your son!!
What did you do to help him get to this point? Detox?
Please share
This was hard to watch ,I feel for him and his parents! Inhuman unfair treatment being locked up like that ! I think a better program like working with animals which he loves very much would help a lot!
Lovely family. Hope Ashley is more comfortable and free now.
Carl, Noah needs to get back home, where I had him on a path to independence; can you and your people help move us?💓
I'm so angry watching this to think they put this poor guy in seclusion. How on earth is that going to help him. If anything is has probably regressed from where he was!
Ok. What crime has this man committed? To have been born different? So was I! Having been mis-diagnosed with several psychiatric disorders, I have been involuntarily hospitalized multiple times. This was in USA, prior to being correctly diagnosed with ASD. I have been locked in the quiet room a few times. It is Hell!!!! The walls are padded and sound proofed. The door is locked and there is nothing there but a mat on the floor. The staff take away your clothes and put you in a hospital gown with snaps. You are there for hours (luckily) with no contact with anyone, only your own thoughts. This is supposed to be calming! It is anything But calming! Placing a person in seclusion (solitary) should be a human rights violation. In a lot of cases, a person with ASD or mental illness are stripped of their rights, and treated as criminals, when in reality, they are some of societies most vulnerable people. Too often seclusion is punitive or for the convenience of the staff. How is this meant to treat/help anyone?
Hope everything works well for Ashley!
This film certainly raised awareness around his situation. Thanks for watching!
free Ashley !
He’s so happy just to be outside 😩
I'm devastated because the treatments of our special needs children I'm just 😥!!!
He is very smart and I hope he gets the care he needs.
Would you him around your children?
@@SuperBriancooper I made the comment 4 years ago. I had to quickly go through the video. I work with children within disabilities. Now, there are different methods to help them now than there were back then. You don't choose how your children will be born. However, if I did have a child with disabilities I would raise him alongside my other children. It doesn't mean it would be easy.
God bless you. Amen
God is having time off.
i feel so sad and sorry for these parents and their son.
It’s really the saddest thing.. but people do not understand how violent they can be when there overly frustrated and angry. It’s dangerous to others and he’s a big guy. He can not be out in society like that but at the same time the facility should have better ways of treatment. It’s inhumane and disgusting. No one should be locked up for that many hours everyday. That is not helpful at all it’s lazy!! They just don’t want to deal with it
Unfortunately this is the reality parents of severely autistics have to face, parents can handle them when they are little but eventually they will get bigger and if they have severe issues and flaws; from wrecked walls and broken items in the house, there is possibility of them unintentionally attacking their parents, family members and people around them when they are having a meltdown fit
Was Ashley ever able to get out? I want an update. That's not a hospital, that's a prison! Guantanamo Bay inmates are treated better!
The parents need to say thank you to doctors and nurses who are looking after their disabled child on every day basis. Otherwise the parents have a chance to take care of their own son by themselves.
I sincerely hope that Ashley will be let out of solitary confinement, what has occurred to him is nothing short of a complete ethical and human rights failure made possible by sheer malpractice due to a staggering dysfunctional psychiatric care of New Zealands part. This is truly mind boggling from a psychiatric perspective. Shameful.
omfg..this hurts me. I am a mother of two kids on the spectrum and it is torture to keep a mind that is constantly exploring or wondering locked behind walls. I used to have a room that same size when i was in my Residential treatment center. We had two types of confinement as well: Isolation and Quiet rooms. ...Still affects me til this day.
He exudes a light in him and they were trying to snuff it out. I am so glad his parents have continued to be the beacon to guide him.
I'm nonspeaking autistic. I learned to type my words as a teenager, and locked up and restrained in segregated SPED classroom. I was also in hospitals and in silent locked room with cameras. It's torture.
Always fight for your kids human rights please
Solitary confinement is torture!
This is digusting. How dare the psychiatrist insist he stay in seclusion.
Ashley is out of mental unit now and if the parents care about Ashley why Ashley been looked after by caregivers and support workers?
The music is way too loud compared to the audio, it makes it difficult to hear what people are saying.
I work with autistic patients in a hospital and patients like him are so sweet but incredibly dangerous because they can become aggressive due to other people kicking off, loud noises and feeling unsafe. They usually attack members of staff but this does mean he deserves to be in seclusion! He needs to have a good doctor and social worker looking after him and he needs to be moved to an appropriate hospital where it is quiet and with less people to trigger him.
And what about teaching him some effective coping mechanisms?
This is what has happened to me even though I am a mental health occupational therapist, whom created the turning point program
That sounds horrible, how did that happen?
This is the chief of the geneva convention, please arrest the advocate for further investigation. Gross and severe violation of Ashley's human rights. Severe form of discrimination.
This is a sad disorder I know exactly how this is because I feel locked up by myself and feel really alone since I have had trouble fitting in and have bad social anxiety because of having ASD
Same
if it helps HardyBoy I can very much relate even if it's not always true but what helps bring me peace is acceptance. Acceptance of whatever situation you are in
it's fine to feel sad and loneliness ain't fun but all of us are alone together. Many of us forget that
Work hard on being your own best friend and not only will you be more at ease you will be more optimistic about life for it too
It made me far happier to accept I was alone than wishing I was not and I try to hold onto that value as a saving grace all the time
good luck to you
12:54 They recognise that this is an adherent practice. What methods are there for the status quo to compel those with the ability to change this practice?
If that was my kid, I'd have walked him to the car and left.
@Alvare Gomez I'm talking about just taking him home, not necessarily letting him drive.
So you would go to jail when they caught you and then you couldn't visit him.
Agree with you.
Why is he being kept in seclusion??????? He's a human with a development disability, he's not a serial killer or something! This is heartbreaking and so incredibly sad. He doesn't deserve this treatment.
@Beatrix In Christ STOP LYING to sell your brand of pseudoscience. Fake profile.
This story was great example he’s don’t wants live this life but its coming a quickly btw he’s human too even if he’s struggling with this situation.
Any updates on ashley's situation? I really hope he gets the life he deserves.
So sad that the one thing that helps his mental health (nature), is denied to him.
Someone said he is out now.
It does say that he gets out.. but then assaults staff members and is put right back. Also his assaults on the public were the reason the police were called in the first place. Very sad, but complicated 🙁
He assaults them because THEY HURT HIM by treating him like an animal
I hope you are doing well Ashley. 🤗
I would think that getting used to being in seclusion would make his ability to deal with crowds even worse. Is there a technique to gradually get him accustomed to this? We know a lot more about autism than we used to.
Right I do not agree with the solitary confinement. They have to just put heads together. & figure out a way so that the people around the patients do not get hurt. Without putting them thru seclusion...i would think that would make behaviors worse.
This hurts my heart so much... my son has autism and I can’t imagine him ever being taken away from me no matter how old he is 💔 I’m so scared for my sweet boys future.
Sorry ey
THIS IS FOOLISHNESS HE NEEDS ONE ON ONE CARE AND SOMETHING TO CLAIM HIM A LITTLE
Did Ashley get any help???
Hi Angela, the documentary raised a great deal of awareness of Ashley's situation. There are now a number of reviews and campaigns underway to change legislation and Ashleys case in particular!
Updates?
Do you have an update for Ashley?
I have autism and it’s pretty curable which angers me there’s funding therapy and support groups but the government normally denies the funding
Autism is not curable but there are ways to help people manage better.
I have autism and anxiety but I do know that people will understand that they will not be able to talk and help me or give them a hug and a high five and a community worker i know what they do it's not a fatal disease or an illness and I know being autistic makes me who I am sometimes it is in a different race
I don't get it, I would love living in that room and as far as I know that is because of autism. It sounds like paradise, meal on schedule, daily rigid routine... It ticks all the boxes that give me trouble by having to function in the normal world.
Seems to me that someone "normal" HATES that they can't force someone autistic to be normal.
Have you ever been locked in a room in a hospital?
@@Catlily5 You?
@@Catlily5 Doctors and nurses are looking after him well. If their parents don’t like it, take him home and look after your son.
@@SuperBriancooper No, I have been locked in a hospital but not a single room .
@@SuperBriancooper It is ridiculous to assume that autistic people like to be locked up. The OP might think that they would like it but they don't know until they have experienced it. So I asked and of course they didn't respond.
Reminds me of Lennie from "Of Mice And Men".
Autism isn't fun. A lot of us "high-functioning" live lives of quiet desperation.
Bloody hell! Prolonged seclusion is the WORST possible thing for people with autism. They are not criminals, nor do they deserve to be punished. Even criminals don’t deserve that kind of treatment. It is not treatment, but torture.
Beginning to understand "THE SPECTRUM" part. Is there research to show a graph based on years since it was first defined? And any correlations to chemical environmental or other factors that could affect people?
Genetics can affect autism
I relate to rhis to much cant watch....
To attitude - can you please let me know how Ashley is doing?
Ashley is out of the unit now and the patients don’t want to know him, as Ashley have been looked after caregivers. Don’t believe what they are saying.
Ashley update please?! someone mentioned he finally got out of this awful situation in 2018? he's clearly an intelligent man (im not even seeing an intellectual disability) with plenty of knowledge to give
My 5 year old has autism. He is awesome, I had a hard time watching this but people need to know to help change the situation. What can we do to help?
Not right having people in confinement due to mental health.
I hope hes doing well 🙏
So much energy lol sweet, 😘😊
This is definitely a human rights violation and I suspect that eventually, that "rehabilitation" facility will be held accountable and made to change those isolation practices.
I really wish the sound in this videos was better. Most of the time the back songs are so loud is imposible for me to really enjoy them.
Is Ashley still in Isolation? Is there anything I can do to help? Petitions, letters? Please let me know.
This is a great guy.
he’s a very kind person who can’t communicate to others and I feel really bad he been that palace for 10 ten years and it really annoying that they are not letting them film the place he stay and not letting to talk about his care it not very good at all and he doesn’t have the freedom to get out to see the world he is bright and he can do something on his own with support it should be stop to lock up people who got disability I’m really mad and up set the way they miss disrespect they should have a right to be free they should have a normal life and not to be lock up people that they are not normal it should be the law to not lock up people with disability and special needs they should have a better life when they can go in to the world do skills and learning with support I care about people who have special needs and learning disability I have special needs it time to stand up to learn disability and special needs 😀
And this is exactly why i dont trust anyone with my autistic child.
I have so many fears around how he could be treated by neurotypical people.
Heartbreaking.
This is a forensics facility. Why didn’t this documentary identify what crime was committed. You can’t be in a forensics program without being charged, and going through court process. This doesn’t give the viewer the entire picture.
He punched a guy in a tea room according to this video.
What the hell is this? How can we treat a fellow human being in this way? a mass murderer has more rights and is treated better
I would rather have down syndrome than be painfully aware of having my autism and not being able to make deep connections with anyone or function properly
I can make connections with other autistic and ADHD people. Not much luck with the "normal" people.
God bless you and yours
God is not listening.
And why can't his parents chose to take him out?
Macie Jones it sounds like he was made a 'ward of the state' or whatever NZ calls it. His parents 'asked mental health officials for help', which to me says they might have signed over his care? Not 100% sure.
He also attacked someone at work.
@@mrs.garcia6978 Even rapists don't sit in jail like that
Completely agree with you.
Because they are not honest. Ashley is out of the unit and does not live with his parents.
Their son Ashley or however it's spelled can't help his autism, but I'm pretty sure he lost his right to freedom the moment it became apparent he's the kind of autistic person who attacks people for talking in a way that bothers him. What autistic people and the people who care about them often don't realize is that there are plenty of people who wish they could assault the autistic person to finally get them to shut up. Except, most of those people do not. If they do, likely they'll be autistic themselves. Regardless of whether or not such people can help it, the public deserves to be protected against such danger. Autistic people grow up, just like anyone else. They become physically stronger as they grow, just like everyone else. The damage they cause is real. He could easily have made the guy permanently disabled or disfigured. No one deserves that for just talking too loud. Parents that opinionated about what's right for their child should have done their utmost to prevent such a thing, instead of complaining about how badly their violent child is supposedly being treated.
Ashley is out of the mental unit now and I am wondering if the parents love and care about his son why they don’t take him to live with them. Caregivers and support workers look after Ashley instead of loving parents? I don’t believe what parents saying.
My daughter is autistic and this is horrifying!
i seen that place before did this get put on tv ages ago i know i seen them buildings before
I'm assuming Ashley is in seclusion because he is a danger to others. People with disabilities can be incredibly angry and aggressive. I was the victim of an assault from an autistic person who was convicted, it was his third conviction. I thought I was going to die. The problem with shows like this is that the institutions are not able to speak about the individuals to give their side of the story. I am assuming that his parents are unable to care for him because he is unpredictable and violent. I don't mean to sound awful but being the victim of violence is devastating to those who work with disabled people and no one is speaking for those workers. Workers in the disabled field are second only to the building industry for being injured at work.
Hi Janet, agreed it is a complex situation. Here are some articles about the Ashley's case:
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11648771
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11658550
Janet Donald sounds awful for you. I know someone whose son keeps hitting out for no reason so we keep well away. His mom is only interested in her son not being taken away and no regard for the victims.
Janet you are so right. My daughter has been attacked by a severely autistic person. Safety of the public and people that have to care for them should be paramount. Unfortunately there is just not enough money for them to have one to one care when their parents and family cannot cope with them anymore.
If he were a terrible threat they wouldn't have him walking about outside in the woods and down the street with his elderly parents. They would be liable were he to loose it and hurt someone so they would simply have his inside at all times or heavily guarded not just 2 aides and no restraints. Or at least I would think. It seems more of a convenience. Seclusion would simply exacerbate any violent behaviors. We have convicted child killers with more freedom. I am sure there is something between allowing him to run about with no control and caging him up like a dog. Of course others safety is important but other places have managed without this sort of cruelty
Janet Donald this specific institution did have a chance to speak about why Ashley is in this situation and they declined to comme.
This is so sad :,(
What a nightmare
Can you make the documentary without this classic music?
Wow I thought having people in “seclusion” only happened in jail these days.
Autistic people aren’t monsters there geniuses most amazing and sympathetic towards mostly everyone but me having autism I know (normal) people are the only broken ones
Agree☺️
Wholeheartedly agree with you, fellow autistic from the US
Calling them geniuses is overselling it. They're unique.
Here in singapore
6:18 Ren and Stimpy