Saturday, August 12, 2006

Observations: Punishing the sick / New Statesman, 14 Aug 2006

http://digbig.com/4mhnw
Tom Wall
"Observations on Asbos - Roger (not his real name) is autistic: he has severe learning difficulties and little ability to empathise with others. His mother used to look after him, but she moved into a nursing home, so now he has no one to help him.His local council - Sandwell in the West Midlands - says he disturbs his neighbours by playing his television and stereo too loud, slamming doors and playing drums, problems that started after he found himself alone. The council gave his neighbours monitoring forms to gather evidence against him and eventually he was made the subject of an antisocial behaviour . . ." [Sub Required]