'It's like torture' - Patient with autism fears for his safety in mental health units

[@jackcunningham9065]

This is my friend and it breaks my heart to see him treated this way, such a genuine nice guy

[@seaglass22]

Jack: I just watched this on CH4 and it made my blood boil! 😡 I worked in the voluntary sector for 12 years in an organisation supporting disabled people live independently. The stories you comes across make you want to tear your hair out. I wish Nicholas well and hope with all my heart that he gets the support he richly deserves. 🙏

[@KennyPowersGaming]

If hes your friend why dont u move him in

[@strawberryicecream796]

@@KennyPowersGamingWhy do you think?. He clearly needs specialist help which should be provided for by the health service. If you have nothing nice to say, it’s nicer to say nothing.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Jacks my friend but we met online too@@KennyPowersGaming

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you so much

[@lizzysimner7715]

How can anyone treat someone worse off like this is beyond me

[@henryzhao4622]

Had severe panic attacks as part of OCD. Feels like concrete being poured and left to dry inside your bones, and then lightning striking you twice a day. Mental illness can be and often is as hellish as any physical disease. Have empathy. Cheers.

[@jodawgsup]

thank you for sharing and I hope it has gotten better/more easy to deal with

[@MH-ku5kn]

How the UK treats autism is beyond deplorable. Imagine the amount of people who purposefully don’t seek out diagnosis/accommodation because they maybe on the lighter side of the spectrum.

[@MH-ku5kn]

@@barbarachristina2026 that is so sad to hear. Thinking of you.

[@CynicalOldDwarf]

Basically pointless trying to get a diagnosis if you only have a 'mild' condition. I spoke to my GP about my own suspected condition after a severe episode of major depression, they gave me an AQ test and questionnaire to fill out, then put me on their waiting list to get on the main waiting list. That was five years ago... She basically told me because most of the resources are tied up with children, if you're a mostly functional adult you're unlikely to see someone for a long time unless you're facing homelessness or you're going to self harm.

[@ratskelll]

This doesn't happen to people with milder autism the same way

[@simongigney2138]

I didn't find out I was till I was 34

[@sallybaddeley6060]

I really wish I hadn't. My life's been ruined by the treatment I've got since.

[@AmandaPanda83]

As soon as I learned the extent of my younger brother’s diagnosis, I knew that I might be his guardian at some point. He is verbal and in better physical shape than I (I’m physically disabled now), but he can’t be left alone and struggles in other areas. I think one of my brother’s worst fears is “being put into a home”. I have vowed to him that as long as I am living, he won’t ever be in a home unless he wants that. I have never brought up a home, but apparently some family members have threatened him in the past with it if he was “misbehaving”. Seeing what has happened to this young man, makes me feel that I’m making the right decision and doing the best thing for my brother.

[@bluesunquake]

You clearly love him.

[@rosegreensummer]

if you/he can manage to buy your own home eg half of it through a social housing scheme or something, and it's adapted, you are in a much better position long run, you can refuse to be moved out of it

[@AmandaPanda83]

Thank you all for the kind words. I most definitely love him. I was 10 when he was born. And then my youngest brother was 18 months later. I changed a lot of diapers as a young girl and had a fair amount of responsibility starting at age 10. I knew before I was 18 that I might need to be his guardian one day. I’ve realized now that I’m 40 and still without my own children that the biggest reason I never had my own was because I felt like I already had two children (I have many stories of being out doing errands with them both at just 16 and ppl coming up to me to say I had such beautiful children lol - it happened so much I stopped correcting ppl that they were my brothers and not my children). I wasn’t allowed any high school job except caring for my brothers. At any rate, I def tried to advocate for him even when I was a minor for him to be the most independent he could be. And this is where it gets really tricky as he does have agencies that work with him, but it’s almost as if there is concern if he does too well, he will lose these agencies and a waiver. Hopefully that kinda explains why it is such a complex issue. And where I am now physically disabled, and not a corporate engineer anymore, I am able to be more involved in helping him learn life skills. A lot of times he tells me no one ever taught him this or that. We have worked on things these last few years, and I’m so proud of him. He is extremely intelligent in some areas I am not, he is such a sweet person, but he definitely has meltdowns and anger with his situation. Which is understandable. We are working on setting up a trust so that he and I can be in the same home if the other family member passed away, so we are taking measures to keep he and I together.

[@teenaoakleyart2700]

Nicholas I feel so awful that this is happening to you. I’m awaiting diagnosis of ADHD and Autism, and I know that the conditions you said you are living in, are my absolute worst nightmare. I hope something gets sorted for you asap, you deserve to be treated so much better than this.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I really hope things will change too and thank you so much for your comment, i really really appreciate it

[@sallybaddeley6060]

I got diagnosed with autism when I was 40. They way I'm treated now compared to the way I was treated before is night & day. The police beat you up & scream at you to stop your autism (I know what you're thinking I must have been having a meltdown, but no not always until they start beating me up), the doctors suddenly insist that you have a learning disability then treat you less than human, people openly abuse you & everyone insists it's your own fault for being autistic. I even lost my home, my landlord gave me a choice of curing my autism, getting an ASBO for being responsible for other people abusing me or moving out. My life changed & became hellish with that diagnosis. Please don't get the diagnosis. It's not safe. It's a license for people to abuse you. I now live a life with no help, no support, no friends or family, under adult social services. My life's gone from extremely difficult to impossible. Please save yourself & don't get formally diagnosed. I wish I was warned. The only help you will get is from yourself & understanding yourself & the autistic community online. I really wish it weren't true. If you know you're autistic that's the one part that helps, you can do that without the formal diagnosis & be safe.

[@ninjaweretiger4273]

Feel so bad about that… I have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. A few friends have Autism. Many do not understand disabilities. It’s insane how many people assume I like alcohol due to my disability. I hate it. I don’t even have a small sip.

[@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant]

I'm so sorry you have to endure that level of ignorance 😞

[@lauraembleton4363]

It breaks my heart seeing people like myself who are autistic suffering in this way something needs to change

[@loveandhappyiness]

My 21 year old grandson has Autism. It hurts my heart. Such a handsome young man. If one look at him, they won't know it. He has never spoke a word.😢, but i love him with all my heart.❤

[@Jo-sp5cp]

Keep him safe.

[@421rc]

My brother is 20. It is terrifying, his future.

[@annkemsley3186]

That's shocking. I worked with autistic adults for most of my life and this is breaking my heart

[@47fortyseven47]

why I will forever regret ever being diagnosed. The threat of being imprisoned indefinitely again being hung over my head for the rest of my life.

[@romifla]

Very moving testimony. And it's just the tip of the iceberg. I hope more publicity goes out about what's happening in those institutions. People need respect, a right diagnosis and the proper structures to be taken care of.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you

[@thedoctorvlogs4743]

I have worked in a mental health unit and the HNS care system is ludicrous. And I have learning disabilities, I Also got attacked and was knocked out unconscious, there were 6 staff on that ward and no-one was there, as a cleaner on the wards we get targeted, not the care staff 😡. I feel his pain.

[@supermichaelssecondchannel4342]

That’s horrible.

[@thedoctorvlogs4743]

@@supermichaelssecondchannel4342 it is pal indeed

[@GUILLOTINE_GANG]

I work with the neurodivergent community. There is no program for these folks that is not staffed with underpaid, undertrained, and overworked people. The entire system needs to be overhauled...

[@tastypymp1287]

Neuro disorder.

[@GUILLOTINE_GANG]

@@tastypymp1287well, aren't you a clever little turd.

[@robokill387]

*neurodivergent

[@bradsutherland_writer]

I couldn't even watch it all. It was too upsetting. Poor Nicholas. We must find a way to help him and others. My nephew is 5 and non-verbal.

[@jenitadriver2024]

I want Justice for this man and his family... nobody should be treated like that 😔

[@ChristinaHenderson-j4f]

I have autism and been given a warning by my local council for having a meltdown caused by neighbour above me constantly thumping which triggers my sensort issues and yet she doesnt get nothing. I explained it was a meltdown a council dont care. We need general public to learn and be trained on autism and how to deal with it. We certainly shouldnt be locked up!

[@cannaroe1213]

@@barbarachristina2026Easy Barb, she's friendly now, but say the wrong thing and she'll have a "meltdown" and won't be responsible for her actions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@JB.zero.zero.1]

​@@cannaroe1213You don't understand.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Do you have any idea what meltdowns are?????????????????@@cannaroe1213

[@ChristinaHenderson-j4f]

@@cannaroe1213 I'm a she and your comment is completely ignorant.

[@cannaroe1213]

@@ChristinaHenderson-j4f Thank you i've updated my comment to reflect your genitalia.

[@wordwordful]

They feel power over the vulnerable.

[@ludovician]

With your power over the abandoned.

[@ludovician]

Incredibly unfortunate the family has had to deal with this so long. I can't imagine putting him in a hospital in the first place considering the BBC doc aired in 2011.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

My family have always been there, i've just been moved around the country away from all family and friends and as a result of distance etc only got to see my mum 1 time a year :( i'm still in hospital now though and just want a life

[@ludovician]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial All the best to you sir. It cannot be easy and I am happy to be incorrect.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you, i really do appreciate it, that doc from 2011 is the winterbourne scandal, my ones been going on nearly 11 years and still going on but we hope that with this media coverage it will help and help others like me too @@ludovician

[@robokill387]

They might not have had a choice, the law allows autistic people to be sectioned for having autism symptoms.

[@gabrielletanner5339]

Why cant, his family look after him,?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

They live in council houses with no room and have their own physical needs and are also autistic, there's no physical way for me to live with them :(

[@madebytaran]

I hope the awareness of this topic reaches the people who can change the system!! Thank you for your courage in sharing your story.

[@RachelFayLovelyDay]

This is so hard to watch. Another human being completely failed by a political system that rewards cronyism, but marginalises or completely disregards the lives of people who need support. Heartbreaking.

[@ashleen3643]

Such a nasty cold world

[@gingerssmelllikecabbageand8708]

It’s failure all round, lived with 3 mental health nurses and got to know the wider group 13-15 of them. 10yrs on I think only 2-3 are patient facing, the rest are either administrative or back office. No job satisfaction, underfunded and society don’t care, most have this lock’em up and throw away the key. I was a nurse for 10yrs in acute medicine, in the first few years we might have 2-3 patients in with mental health issues, now we could have 9-11 patients out of 18-20 with mental health and they wait days weeks with us because no beds are available. But I don’t have the time or expertise to help. Sad thing I’ve come to realise, Britain is broke and people like this young chap are cut from society

[@9ineteen-A-T-5]

I worked in a CAS Behavioural Health private hospital that had NHS contracts, now changed it's name to Signet Healthcare, and the way staff treated patients whilst I was there was absolutely abhorrent. Literally bullying severely brain damaged and autistic patients. Most of the staff were of African heritage, so there was a clique-culture of bullying, harassment and cover-ups. I would absolutely never work in a place like that again. And when I attempted to write a review of what I witnessed on Indeed it was basically not allowed. It's not right or fair that people's experiences are being muted like this. There needs to be more done to prosecute individuals and places where these practices are allowed. I am always disgusted when I think about my experience there.

[@factorylad5071]

I know the truth from being in a psychiatric ward for no better reason that my estranged family wanted me out of my house so they could inherit it. I notice you do not mention the highly paid muslim doctors and the junk science. Somebody needs to get it out there so I hope your comment does not get deleted.

[@Mandarinoooooo]

As an autist I‘m glad you care about that stuff, but please don‘t resort to racism :D

[@9ineteen-A-T-5]

@mandarinoo there is no racism in any of the comments. I'm presenting my experience of the environment I worked in. It is not racist to speak what I observed with my own eyes. Don't troll on other's commentary, just scroll on 👍

[@Mandarinoooooo]

hmm… I guess racism IS an overstatement, and I‘m sorry for that. However, saying african heritage implies worse character is… weird.@@9ineteen-A-T-5

[@9ineteen-A-T-5]

@mandarinoo I'm saying what I observed, it is in no way racist to say that there was a clique based on heritage, if anything, I was a victim of xenophobia and ethnocentricism because I disagreed with their abuse(the staff that were of African heritage) and couldn't work there any longer. I didn't understand it, I felt what I observed was bullying the vulnerable. I'm sorry if you're triggered, but that is what I observed 💯

[@fernandocrustacean]

I've been tortured by the effects of a brain injury for 10 years but I can't imagine being stuck inside for 10 years. I hope Nicholas gets the proper care he needs.

[@virginiaalderson4793]

This is so sad and appalling that in this day and age people with autism are still being failed and dealt with like prisoners without there own needs being met properly. My adult son has autism and LD and this is my biggest fear for him. As long as I am alive he will remain in the family home and have support in his own home. Isolation from society, family and friends will only make people deteriorate and end up also with a mental health condition that was previously not there. Tragic 😢

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

you're not wrong, the way my family have been treated as a result, my mums also autistic though so its even harder with how shes been treated@@barbarachristina2026

[@ginnyalderson6391]

​@@barbarachristina2026Ive seen many documentaries reporting this. Stuck in a system like a prison sentence, deteriating. Parents then powerless to help as all power and control taken away and no alternative accomodation sort. Awful

[@bigmike8375]

My son is austism... i feel for this man and all suffering.. please jail these nurses.. why go into care if ur not caring 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you, i really hope you and your family are doing okay, we want to take court action etc after i'm out of hospital to try and get some sort of justice but it will be a long process (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@bigmike8375]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial thank you, my family is well and safe... but your story touched my heart.. you must take action not just for yourself but for the future of our other vunerable children.. i too will also start investing more time to helping those in need... God bless you and i hope you are well ❤️

[@elainewatts4665]

Many years ago we had places to accommodate extreme mental health individuals with fully trained staff. These places were systematically closed down by a conservative government and called care in the community, anyone paying any attention at that time knew care in the community was set up to fail. It failed society and indeed the most vulnerable..

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I'm not extreme mental health though... (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@captainpugwash7174]

​​@@NicholasThorntonOfficialHi Nicholas I'm so sorry you are going through this. How would you like your care to be? Would you like to live in a flat of your own with carers checking in on you or something else? I'm so sorry you are going through this and I hope your dream comes true.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Honestly yes, i'd love to live in my own place or just be in supported living where they understand Autism and have the care and support trained in autism that i need, i'd love to have the chance to go to college and to work too, i'd love to be able to be in a reasonable distance where i can see my family and have a social life with my friends etc, honestly i just want to be able to have a life@@captainpugwash7174 Thank you for asking me and for your comments and for watching my story, i'm really hoping that with media attention on my story things will be better in the future

[@poetryoftruth-j2g]

it awful how little is taught about autism and how we keep on being bullied in schools due stereotypes that many still believe this has to stop we are people and the government needs to do more to solve this issue

[@marigold9736]

I couldn't speak only a few words my mother thought nothing of it , I was one of 10 children, when I turned 21 I started speaking, and found out I had high frequency autism. I pretty much love normal life. I don't like certain patterns , I understand animals emotions , I still love silence deeply , when I meet people I feel their emotions, I don't have many friends, I have five children, I have a beautiful mind with photographic memory , I don't get jokes or Nuance's I am good at organising. people with certain types of autism need to live with family or are semi independent lives.They need nature and reassurance not a mental institution . In my mothers Country people with special needs stay with families 😢😢

[@almcdonald8676]

Thank you for this. From the bottom of my heart thank you.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you

[@almcdonald8676]

❤️👊🏼

[@bchbum3802]

Get an attorney!! It would not do to happen to someone I knew. God bless this man and his family..🙏🙏

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

We've been trying and trying and trying for years

[@marmar4608]

​@nthornton5747 please do reach out. I work for a Supported Living service in Cambridgeshire and we will be happy to come and do an assessment if Social Service request us to. I am confident we would be able to help.

[@factorylad5071]

Leigh Day human rights and medical negligence solicitors.

[@piddlydiddly]

@@factorylad5071 they don't work, council is richer and more powerful and always win.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Its not only that, we've found a barrister and solicitor thanks to rebecca, health corespondent from the independent but they haven't been able to do anything - we NEED media attention@@barbarachristina2026

[@fpvx3922]

I am an autist myself and it is horrible how society treats us. Inclusion has become a big topic, but only as long as people can throw the word around to show how open and social they are. But when it matters inclusion is totally thrown off the table. I feel for you. Best wishes.

[@pennyspage668]

Why would you have ever had put these people into such dangerous and bad situations? This is insane!! You should be held accountable for your actions!!! I would never let anyone place my child or relative into these types of situations!!! These people need support and many are very intelligent!!! How dare you do this to them, you're awful people to treat these beings like this. NEVER SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED!!!! NEVER

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Its what the system has done to me, my family have been fighting against this for years but no one has listened to us or anything, victoria, rebecca etc who worked on this story have been amazing people and are helping as much as they can by exposing my story

[@pennyspage668]

​@nthornton5747 I just don't understand them doing this to him, how vigils a system fail so gravely? It upsets me he's been thru so much and he's no choice. The health care workers that area abusive should be in prison. If I ran that system it would be so different. I run a business for handicap/disabled seniors and if one of my nurses caused intentional harm to a patient I would have them arrested and charged immediately

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Its me, i'm the person that the story is about and i don't understand either, none of us do and we've tried everything, we're hoping the media exposure might help me and others like me too - when i was being abused i had voice recordings, video footage etc that was all shared but social workers ignored it and the police... they just referred to a social worker instead of investigating most of it as soon as they saw that i had one@@pennyspage668

[@shawnafsworld7431]

Why Can’t they Fight in this Cases in Court Against These Facilities 😢 - they are Denying them All Human Rights Service 😮 They should Have Be sued hold them Accountable.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you so much for covering my story

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

i have seen a few of your comments, you seem like a really nice and kind person

[@eskaban_edits_beats_and_more]

this is why i would rather die resisting than end up in one of those demonic places

[@janetmontgomery-r6j]

My grandson is autistic. I know what you mean this young man in video deserves better treatment and support.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you so much, i love you and i hope you and your family are doing well :) (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@EW-uw7dg]

What a shame, they don't even have an appropriate placement for him. Disgusting abuse, let him go home to his family. How did it help get him back into the community when he's been locked away for ten year's? Shame on you Essex, let him go home to his family.

[@louisesawyer1866]

I had PTSD and had to stay in hospital for a month it was awful it was a prison like mentally and treatment its an inhumane institution and should be modernised to support current mental health conditions rather than the dark ages system 😢

[@MrSatnavatron]

I personally have high functioning borderline Autism , I have most of the positive traits with little negative symptoms. I find myself incredibly lucky when hearing about stories like these , but I'm critically aware its a lot of environmental issues that accelerate spirals for some traits . Chemical issues need a solution that is radically different from everyday lifestyles*

[@bernardm2528]

Ok I hear you. Good to keep going. I know someone with Aspergers they are in a good situation on the outside world as well. Apparently 10% of the population have austim of some type I read somewhere, I don't know if that is true or not. Regards

[@tastypymp1287]

What positive traits?

[@TheWildeFish]

​@@tastypymp1287Crazy long term memory, noticing detail others miss, deep level of perception, knowledgeable in one's own specialist subject, being able to hyperfocus on stuff for prolonged durations of time (well not always good if you burn yourself out though), blunt honesty, etc. What are you trying to suggest? 🤷‍♀️

[@tastypymp1287]

@@TheWildeFish Oh no, what are YOU trying to suggest!!?? This is PR spin to massage egos. Let's correct it. Good long term memory is not unique to those with Autism nor do all have such a skill. Noticing irrelevant things that are not important due to deficiency in prioritising and discounting information. Sometimes, by chance, something useful is noticed. Hyperfocus is not unique to Autism. I'll disregard that. Blunt honesty = unsophisticated social skills. It's a disorder, it's a net disadvantage. If it was an advantage, we'd all be autistic.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

They probably just wanted to know as they don't know about autism... but you using the term high functioning is harmful to the autistic community@@TheWildeFish

[@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant]

Does his family want assistance to care for him at home? Put up a donation link please. I don't see one. Nicholas, if you see this, I'm so sorry you're going through this trauma. It's shameful it's been allowed to happen to you. I will pray for you 🙏

[@IMMORTALK0BRA]

Nick himself has just linked me this video and it really isn't easy to see those pics, I have always been aware of him having issues the whole time I've known him and I knew a little bit about the abuse going on but never to the extent of it being this bad. It turns out that where he is, is just down the road from me too so we are chatting about finally being able to meet up after all this time of him moving about all over. its going to be amazing to finally see him again, even if he is mute now but we can work around that I'm sure!!

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I love you

[@IMMORTALK0BRA]

You too buddy, looking forward to seeing you soon!! :D@@NicholasThorntonOfficial

[@annastybeach9064]

Nicholas you deserve and HAVE always deserved better than this kind of care, your family has done everything and gone above and beyond to make sure you can lead a comfortable good quality of life, the system and government has let you and them down at every turn. This country is dreadful and not educated on how to care for those with Autism, my child also has Autism and there was next to nothing in this country of support. I speak to you online and know you are articulate and more in control than anyone else would be in the situation you are x

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I love you

[@mohammadmakram7429]

I really loved him and wish him the best and recovery as soon as possible.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you

[@LM-he7eb]

His brother & mom are disappointing too. Why don't they live with him?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

sorry but shut up about my mum and brother, they are not disappointing, you are adisappointing person that assumes and judges peoples family and assumes the worst instead of thinking that there are reasons even out of their control... my mum and brother love me more than anything and would have me if they could but they can't, they don't have room / space and have their own disabilities...

[@machidaman]

I am a senior clinician in an NHS acute psychiatric hospital and i can twll you MH staff are rwrely trained to work with those on the spectrum and have lottle to no understanding of autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia etc. Further, most MH services are not commissioned to work with those with ASC and so training and/or approriate placements are unavailable. The system is flawed to its core and ends up letting patients down as a result, irrespective of diagnosis and need.

[@nerves995]

They seem to have little to no understanding of anything, frankly.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) You are a really good person, thank you so much for sharing your views too and for trying to make more people aware what its like from your side too, i try telling people in the past some what you have said but no one listens

[@777cpt]

The heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

What are you even talking about??? You must be one of the abusive nurses

[@JB-hj2vj]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial It's from the Bible: Jeremiah 17:9. The verse applies to the nurses, I would say.

[@awilson5291]

I have aspergers and i was staying in a care home blossom house stratford and i was locked in, and a client with cerebal palsey was left lying in his own blood, i woke up in the night to him screaming and i went down and wiped his face and called the ambulance- which i was then evicted for 'interfering'

[@PaigeRobins-ky4qc]

You shouldn't judge someone until you get to know them.🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@JugglinJellyTake01]

This is a messed up system and even more so given the CPS won't progress the case. I hope there are complaints against all the staff involved. The housing situation is not surprising and is likely for worse with various difficulties and mental health problems. I was made homeless after reporting my landlord for lack of maintenance. I was put in a hostel with people with various addictions. Worse they didn't change the bed sheets from the previous tenant and the door had been smashed open. The system is riddled with incompetence, abuse and disregard for people who are often pushed around like farm animals for slaughter.

[@mikasaanderen6175]

Is it possible for him to live with his family ?

[@theoverlord1925]

Yes if they were not selfish .But easier to stick him in one of those units to save money and not have to deal with him on a daily basis. That’s the reality of things , money and “ me time” come first. Forget love, sacrifice and dedication , those things have little meaning in most societies these days. That said they could take better care of him. Personally I think a country is “ successful “by how they treat their people with disabilities, especially children . I mean those are the people who need care and help the most and if you let them down what does it say about the country?

[@Christinebanks11]

No

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Don't you dare call my family selfish, i'm sorry but you don't know anything about my family@@theoverlord1925

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

No, they live in small council houses which don't have any room etc, we're trying and trying to find a way but don't get listened to

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

IM NICHOLAS THORNTON. THIS IS MY STORY. DON'T YOU DARE CALL MY FAMILY SELFISH. My mum, sister and brother love me more than anything and do everything that they can but living in small council houses which have no room etc, there's physically no way that i'm able to, that and my mum and brother both have a lot of physical needs too and are also autistic. Don't you DARE call my family selfish, i'm extremely offended by your comment and wrong assumptions about my family @@theoverlord1925

[@karengregory8503]

This is truly appalling ! and shocking!

[@marmar4608]

Please do make contact, i work for a supported Living Service in Cambridgeshire and i am sure we could support you in the community.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

please may i have some contact info?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@JamieHumeCreative]

We need quiet more nature based housing. Specifically for Autustuc/ND people.

[@monikawiedmann8594]

It is awful to see what this poor man has been and is still going through and that it isn't even unusual. I work with children and often spot signs of ASD, but parents are having a hard time to even get a diagnosis. Unless there is a behavioural aspect, nobody seems to care. Having said that, social services also seem generally unable to help children in desperate situations, it is heart breaking! Starting with getting proper diagnosis and then getting proper support seems impossible at the moment.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

You are a really good person and thank you so much for being a good person - (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@monikawiedmann8594]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial thank you for taking the time to respond! I hope things will improve for you soon!

[@davidlamb7524]

Bullies are unfortunately attracted to the care system where they can lord it over the vulnerable. The selection and ongoing assessment of staff is far from adequate. In fact it's tantamount to criminality.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) you're right, at one place i was at they even let people who had been in prison in the past work in care, only for those people to physically, mentally and verbally abuse... they didn't do proper checks, they just hired them because they needed staff

[@davidlamb7524]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial Sorry to hear that. I think the people who run those places don't want to spend time and money on psychological assessment, background checks and training.

[@421rc]

Right now the staff shortages are pathetic and families get no help. My brother is on the severe side and 20 years old. We live in Colorado Springs. Cant get a day program for him nor respite. The system is faiing all of us so badly.

[@edrisgabo915]

Horrendous Nobody Should be treated It like this. It's Abuse😢😮

[@wordwordful]

Shocking!

[@JackieLarose]

I hope more people see what these nurses are doing to people

[@jenitadriver2024]

I'm in literal tears 😢man this is horrible

[@poppyjohnson-hd7jt]

Mencap are absolutly shocking to put me off workin in care because i couldnt treat humans like that.

[@421rc]

This has been my biggest fear for my brother.

[@randomness051]

Why are his family not looking after him?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) They can't as they have autism too and their own physical needs etc and where they live has no room so they can't... i would be living with them if it was possible

[@Dj_JohnMac]

I was in a mental health hospital in manchester And it was nothing like that story's like this is what terrified me when I arrived then I found out I was in control.. but it mostly depends on your section level. Lvl 2 not so bad. lvl 3 you get liquid chosh 😢

[@rosydantecox758]

Why his brother or sister wouldn't live with him? family should take care of him. This is sad

[@rosegreensummer]

The root of the problem is that social care is underfunded to the point where it is impossible for the few employees to even begin to do a good job, so only the worst employees will tolerate the hellish conditions. It's no use just saying 'how shocking' if you don't fund independent living but instead have axed the Independent Living Fund, if you fund half the staff needed for 'warehousing' care let alone having life; if you make all care the responsibility of councils while axing the block grant and halving their funding; if having worked in care means you won't be considered for any other job, so it's a carrer dead end not a career; if you spend your money on anything except social care...otherwise this is just pieties.

[@mikeoas]

Me and my husband are both on the spectrum, it is beyond painful to see a human being treated like this. Our brains are wired slightly differently, we see the world in a unique way and just need extra support. He should be released to his family and legal action taken against those who have failed him so badly, your not alone.

[@WhichDoctor1]

And yet i have a friend who is on an antipsychotic medication that is causing them such severe physical side effects that it's made her disabled and was prescribed for a condition that her doctors all now agree she doesn't have. But trying to come off it causes her mental state to become soo erratic that she fears for what she will do to herself. She has begged her psychologist to have her committed to an institution so she can go through the withdrawal in a safe environment with professionals on hand to stop her doing anything bad to herself, but apparently that's only possible if she's already proven herself to be a serious danger to herself or others, by which time it might be too late. So she's stuck on this drug that is doing nothing good for her but ruining her body, and there's no way she can get off it. The system locks up people for years for having autism despite the fact that almost any other solution would make their lives immeasurably better, and yet they won't help people in situations where being temporarily institutionalised could actually be lifesaving. Its utterly mad and infuriating

[@robokill387]

Has she tried gradual tapering? Long term antipsychotic use leads to your brain getting used to it, which can lead to you becoming mentally unstable if you come off too quickly.

[@martinduggan4077]

how does this happen in 2023 . outrageous people need to be held to acvount

[@starfoxz55]

Is he legally being held there or is his family able to care for him if they so choose?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) My family are not able to care for me as they have their own health problems and are autistic too, the home they live in is really small and theres no room so i have no choice but to be here until the nhs and social care do something

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

Terrible to see even in the uk

[@cannaroe1213]

I too am Autism, and look like a wedding DJ, because I am a wedding DJ. Autism is a speculum and we can all feel a little bit like being a wedding DJ at times. But when you can't turn it off it's different. Thank you for bringing to attention how some care staff are actually incentivised by money and taking freedom away from people is bad.

[@oucho1886]

Is the Secretary of State now aware of this?

[@corvettesbme]

Yes it is hard to watch

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) i'm sorry

[@sugar-free-2centz]

I don't see what is so complex about Alex's case: he can clearly communicate in fluent written English, and he's wheelchair bound and can't be any sort of harm or flight risk. There is no reason why he couldn't be living in a disabled flat share somewhere. God, I'm glad I don't live in the failed socialist state that is Great Britain.

[@gillowens24]

That is horrible that he was abused

[@jamiesmith3211]

A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith proves nothing.

[@avrilcrisp5725]

Who are the providers behind this. In the UK we have seen our prison service, probation services, childrens services and other health and council areas like housing are reduced to a point where staff and service users are treated as commodities and not as human beings. Our education system is a joke. There has been a decline in supported living accommodation for those with disabilities. For the elderly they are being held in prison like homes and stripped of their independence and the home owners allowed to charge absorbitent fees. Unsurprisingly this started when privatisation hit our social and welfare system, no profit for shareholders is what counts. The least offered for the biggest profits.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

NHS and Social care or would you like the full list of homes and hospitals? (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@shan6938]

It is shocking this abuse still happened in 2023 but time and time again you'll see..

[@devanandxavier4941]

The society at large need to go a long way to be inclusive to special needed humans. Shocking to learn from this report that even the system that is supposed to educate the society by is at fault

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I really hope my story will help bring change or at least help it to be discussed, the national autistic society are working on publishing a thread of stories too (i'm Nicholas, this is my story)

[@Celtic_Iron]

Apologies but what's the reality with his family ?

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

What do you mean? if you explain your question i can answer it, i'm Nicholas

[@Celtic_Iron]

@nthornton5747 Without offending you Nicholas, how are you in a position in which your family cannot provide care ? Is there no sovereignty in their decisions in where you can be placed and supported ? Is there a possibility of at home care ? The documentary is shot without explaining some of the above and apologies but it can be perceived as people have simply sent you away and this may be totally wrong.

[@Gurman-on2em]

It's torture and cruel beyond a shame worse than rape

[@unknownunknown2576]

They make you worse on these units. Drug you up. You are a cash cow to them.

[@cmant2024]

Appalling treatment, however unsurprising under our current government.

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

(i'm Nicholas, this is my story) i hope things change one day

[@cmant2024]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial Me too, mate! I hope you can find some peace and justice, too.

[@andrewbatts7678]

Here in the USA the mentally disabled are cared for by family. They are not thrown away as wards of the state. I dont understand how the UK just locks up those with disabilities who are not a danger to themselves or others

[@syweiner434]

Why is he still there? Follow the money.

[@robokill387]

I mean, I have done extensive research on this topic, and this is actually true. Many autistic and learning disabled people are being detained because the institution gets more money from the government if they provide more services, or claim to, regardless if the person needs it or not. So there I'd huge financial incentive to keep people locked up.

[@Masud_S_Hoghughi]

having aspergers myseff - I would recommend that nicholas takes psilocybin mushshrooms

[@bernardm2528]

OK. I know someone with Aspergers. How do these mushrooms benefit? Thanks

[@piddlydiddly]

it's illegal in UK and he's watched 24/7 while in a psych ward.

[@Masud_S_Hoghughi]

they will expand consciousness and relieve anxieties@@bernardm2528

[@Masud_S_Hoghughi]

illegality didn't stop me, and he was let out with his brother - wasn't he?@@piddlydiddly

[@junehope5152]

Can I ask the obvious why don’t his family just take him home if he’s not been sectioned they can take him home

[@shizw1919]

If they could they would. They're in a council house and not well off by any means

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

Thank you for answering

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

Give your heart to Christ, and ask Him to heal your mind.

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

@@nnnnccc Matthew 17:21 (KJV) Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Je'sus Christ

[@narjess6040]

did his family abandoned him?

[@bluediamond1414]

THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN ENGLAND 2023. SHAME ON THIS COUNTRY.

[@orion9k]

5:10 why would they design a logo that looks like something from a horror movie? I would be scared as fxck if I was placed by force, onto a group/organisation that had that logo/flag of 3 red swords.

[@rachelcharris]

I know he's got a family network there but I wonder whether he would be better in a different health board 🤔

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I've been in lincolnshire, cambridgeshire, essex, cardiff, carmarthenshire and west midlands but because of 117 aftercare essex have to fund etc

[@rachelcharris]

@@NicholasThorntonOfficial Sorry to hear that but I think I understand that from my own experience. I'm going to do some more research about it in the coming weeks and see what I can find out.

[@tabithaaaaaaaaaa]

My god get the man a text to speech 😂

[@seaglass22]

What exactly is so funny?

[@tabithaaaaaaaaaa]

@@seaglass22 ok maybe the laughter emoji wasn't the right one to use there, but you just liked ur own comment tho which is so sad 🤣🤣 u posted 28 seconds ago 🤣

[@NicholasThorntonOfficial]

I'm nicholas and i found this comment funny to be fair lol

[@Rat_Queen86]

The. Government. Doesn’t. Care.

[@samhianblackmoon]

💔

[@tedthesailor172]

Things are no better that Victorian times...