Death inquiry findings similar – 20 years on
The adequacy of help provided for parents of autistic children is once again in the spotlight after a review into the death of autistic Blenheim woman Ruby Knox at the hands of her mother.
Earlier this week, Auckland paediatrician Dr Rosemary Marks released a report into the 2016 case, highlighting a number of systematic service issues, alongside recommendations to improve care nationwide.
Many of Marks’ suggestions mirror those contained in a review released 20 years ago following the murder of autistic teenager Casey Albury by her mother Janine Albury-Thomson.
At the time – and similar to the Knox case – Albury-Thomson’s defence was that she had been driven to desperation trying to get respite care for her daughter.
She was sentenced to four years’ jail for manslaughter but the Court of Appeal subsequently reduced this to 18 months.
The case prompted the commission of Professor John Werry, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Auckland University, to review Casey’s history and the services provided to her and her family.
In his report, Werry advocated for a national autism centre that would serve as a ‘‘centre of expertise in autism’’, helping train staff, develop national standards and keep statistics on the disorder and services available.
While improvements in policies and support followed the 1998 report’s release, New Zealand’s IHC organisation said in a recent newsletter that the case of Ruby and her mother Donella revealed that ‘‘major gaps remain in understanding, support, integrated services and training around autism and complex disability, as well as the mental health and wellbeing of carers’’.
A key point of difference in the two cases and subsequent reports pertained to age, with Casey classed as a child at 17-years-old, while 20-year-old Ruby was an adult. If Ruby had been aged under 17, concerns would have been raised with authorities about potential abuse. The process and safeguards are not comparable for adults.
‘‘New Zealand needs a process for vulnerable adults that is clear and resourced to assess situations of concern and ensure appropriate action,’’ Marks said.
She suggests a system to safeguard adults who are unable to alert other people if they feel at risk or if people are concerned that there is a possibility that someone might be harmed. That is similar to what Oranga Tamariki provides for children.
‘‘Major gaps remain in understanding ...’’ IHC New Zealand