www.apana.supanet.com Chair David N. Andrews Patron: Wendy Lawson c/o 1 Oak Tree House Redington Gdns London NW3 7RY 31 July 2000 Ms Virginia Harvey Parliamentary Liaison Officer National Autistic Society 393 City Road London EC IV 1NE Dear Ms. Harvey, In response to suggestions via the media (i.e. "Public to have Say on the NHS Reform",Daily Telegraph 24.4.2000, copy enclosed), it is opportune to present relevant views of the "Submission by the National Autistic Society." To quote: Mission Statement: "The NAS exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services, appropriate to their needs." We are a group of people on the autistic spectrum and parents with adults sons and daughters on the autistic spectrum. Several of our children have become innocent victims who have experienced tremendous pain and suffering, inflicted upon them by the medical profession's ignorance and failure to recognise the symptoms of autism. The destructive nature of these mood and mind-altering substances have caused chaos and despair in our lives. Aware of the persistent cognitive deficits associated with neuroleptics (such as personality deterioration, lack of initiative and spontaneity, drive, motivation and will) to non-autistic persons, the impact on autistic people will be increasingly severe, some of whom are already affected by these drawbacks to varying degrees. Neuroleptics in any amount and for any length of time are potentially dangerous to non-autistic individuals, therefore more harmful to autistic persons. The disastrous side-effects of these toxic substances can be the equivalent of a "mental cosh", sedating people into "zombies", immobilised for lengthy periods during the day, preventing normal function for sometimes months or years, destroying any possibility of coping with life's difficulties. Challenges which need to be resolved require a lucid train of thought. Instead problems are masked (covered) by drugs - intractable, become permanent, restricting motivation and development, undermining self-esteem, producing apathy and helplessness, a hopeless situation for the victim, making progress impossible. - 2 - See: "Draft Code of Good Practice on Prevention of Violence Against Persons with Autism". (Autisme-Europe, September 1998, page 40). No.l No. There is no drug to treat autism. No. 3, 3rd line. There is no treatment for autism and drugs are likely to complicate even more the situation. No.9 There are no psychiatric drugs without side effects. See also: Autisme-Europe - "Charter for Persons with Autism": Item 16 THE RIGHT of people with autism to freedom from fear or threat of unwarranted incarceration in psychiatric hospitals or any other restrictive institution. Item 17 THE RIGHT of people with autism to freedom from abusive physical treatment or neglect. Item 18 THE RIGHT of people with autism to freedom from pharmacological abuse or misuse. The European Law on Human Rights is to be incorporated in our legal system in October 2000. See also: Potions, Pills and Community Care for People with Learning Difficulties" by Dinah Murray. BA MA PhD. (Ing Ap. Vol.1 No.1). There are many extremely dangerous :Life-threatening side-effects from these anti-psychotic drugs, such as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (can be fatal) and Tardive dyskinesia, an insidious drug-induced iatrogenic disease, a chronic/irreversible condition damaging the central nervous system, preventing people from achieving their full potential and proving an asset to society, which can cause serious physical and mental dysfunction in non-autistic people, and is inevitably more devastating to autistic persons. This disease is incurable. There is also catatonic decline. Therefore your "Mission Statement" cannot produce effective and advantageous results for the benefit of autistic people within the present National Health Service System. Indeed, we would state emphatically that Mental Health Services are not only totally inappropriate for the needs of autistic spectrum individuals but can be extremely harmful. We wish to present the following proposal: That a "Natural Health Clinic" be inaugurated for autistic spectrum persons, specialising in a range of alternative/complementary therapies and integrated medicine; to include access to socia1 skills training, cognitive behavioural therapy, awareness/aptitude profiles, combined with a variety of projects, possibilities for knowledge/schemes for full/part-time employment where applicable. Supportive employment schemes. Many of the following approaches have shown strong evidence in their favour: homeopathy, herbal, nutritional approach; Allergies (a very prevalent factor) and diet; Orthomolecular Medicine; to name but a few. Also, of course, essential vitamin/mineral supplements etc. Careful monitoring essential. In addition, last but not least - a very needy "Rehabilitation Centre." Possibilities of funding: NHS (now requesting public suggestions/consultations); full or subsidised lottery grants, plus doubtless massive moral/financial support from members and associates, finance producing groups, charities, e.g. The Shirley Foundation. With goodwill and enthusiasm, an entire new productive and successful system can be established to replace the present anachronistic treatment methods and to herald in the new century. Yours sincerely, A.P.A.N.A. 3