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Isabella

Member since
May 2021

17 posts

Posted Thu July 29, 2021 7:34pmReport post

Hi. My son is being sentenced in August. He has special needs. Autism and mobility problems. He is like a child. They found thousands of images. Videos etc. He might get prison. I am beside myself with worry. No one is supporting us. We have no family near. No friends. My son is 26 and asks to have a biscuit or even to have a shower. He will never cope. They are treating him as an adult. Now benefit people are pushing him to work saying he is capable. I haven't told them about his trouble. I dont know what to do.

Alison20

Member since
March 2021

354 posts

Posted Sat July 31, 2021 7:40pmReport post

Hi Isabella

I am sorry to hear you have no support. Please ring the Stop it Now helpline for support, if you have not already contacted them.

I hope your son has got a solicitor who specialising in IIOC's and has good understanding in autism. I hope you are also aware that you can write a Character Reference to give to the judge before sentencing. You can include details of how Autism affects your son, and how this process has affecting him and you as a family. Your solicitor should be able to help you with all of this. Do you have other people who know your son well, who can also write a character reference for him?

Have you spoken with your GP? If you haven't now may be the time to reach out for some support for you and your son.

You could also ring the following mental health charities, they may be able to help or signpost you elsewhere:-

the national MIND charity legal helpline 0300 466 6463

Rethink Charity 0808 801 0525

I hope other members come up with some additional ideas as to how you can find some support.

Mindful

Member since
January 2021

50 posts

Posted Mon August 2, 2021 11:52pmReport post

Hi,

Have you rang the national Autism society and other such places.

I would definitely speak with benefits people and explain and also place your son with adult social services. This is too much for all of you to deal with alone.

Alison20

Member since
March 2021

354 posts

Posted Tue August 3, 2021 12:14amReport post

This may be hard to believe but unfortunately the National Autistic Society helpline closed down in June this year.

This link https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support shows what support the National Autistic Society can provide or signposts you to other organisations that may be able to help.

If you have a local branch of the NAS in your area they may be able to offer support or help if you make contact with them.

dino2828

Member since
January 2021

66 posts

Posted Tue August 3, 2021 5:26pmReport post

Does he have any carers etc he can ask for character references and also ask for medical letters from his doctors in regards to how his illness affects him. Do start speaking to the professionals, GP/ autism support worker? / whoever he is under and charities for advice. Does he even understand what he has done or admitted to this crime?

Edited Tue August 3, 2021 5:27pm