Autistic son home again after 15 years

A MOTHER is celebrating after her autistic son was freed from detention last week after being locked away by the NHS for 15 years.

Ryan Addison, 32, is thought to have been held longer than any other person with autism. He has spent the last few years detained behind a high-security fence at a medium-security mental health unit, alongside mentally ill murderers and other serious criminals.

While Ryan is now free and living in his own home with carers, more than 2,000 people with autism and learning disorders are still locked away and isolated in secure hospitals and inpatient units.

These units are intended to be short term, for patients with needs that may be difficult to treat in the community. Many campaigners claim their long-term use violates the human rights of those who are incarcerated.

In May 2019, then health secretary Matt Hancock announced an independent review of patients in segregation and the care they received.

But there has been no significant reduction in numbers since.

Ryan was voluntarily detained under the Mental Health Act at 17, after he threatened to cut his wrists.

He was diagnosed with psychosis and mild learning disabilities when he was detained in a mental health hospital in 2006.

He was diagnosed with autism in 2018 and has spent much of the last four years in a long-term segregation unit at the Humber Centre in Hull.

The centre houses some of the region’s most dangerous criminals.

His mother Sharon Clarke said: “It was a mistake. He has never harmed anyone or himself.”

Although Ryan went to mainstream school and had many friends,

Sharon always suspected he had autism. Yet he was affectionate and mischievous, reaching all expected milestones.the mother of three said: “They put him in a place that seemed like a children’s home and I thought he’d eventually be allowed home, but it went on for four years.

“Staff told me he was in the best place and progressing well. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and given antipsychotic medication. He lost 18 teeth due to the medication.

“Despite never having committed a crime, he has been detained in mental health units since 2006, alongside some of the most dangerous criminals. It felt like Ryan was frozen in time, locked away for no reason at all. I became frightened for him.”

Five years ago Ryan was moved to another secure unit where Sharon said he spent time in segregation: “For me, segregation was completely inhuman – the equivalent of solitary confinement.”

But last year, to celebrate his 32nd birthday, Ryan was allowed home for a few hours under escort, for the first time in nearly 15 years.

And on Monday he moved into a “smart house” where he is cared for round the clock by a team of carers.

Sharon said: “He’s been so institutionalised it’s going to take some adjustment, but he’s so happy to be out. He’s smiling all the time now.

“Can you imagine how he must feel to be out of that place after all those years. In just a few days I’ve seen an improvement.”

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust said: “We do not comment on individual cases. We always strive to provide the best possible care to the people and communities we serve.”

‘It was a mistake... He has never harmed anyone

or himself’