Latest news with #autism
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Tragedy after mom lost sight of her adorable 18-month-old toddler son in Colorado park
An adorable 18-month-old baby tragically died after going missing on Tuesday afternoon in Silverthorne, Colorado. Serenity Maes, the child's mother, has been left heartbroken after her baby's body was discovered by search and rescue crews at around 5pm. The discovery came after the little boy, Zeldris, was reported missing at 2.53pm by his mother. Maes said Zeldris's father was working a job in Silvethorne, so the family couldn't check into the motel they were staying in until 3pm. Instead of waiting in their car, Maes decided to take Zeldris and her three-year-old son, who has autism, to get some fresh air in the park, Fox 31 reported. When the older son ran off towards a creek, Maes bolted after him. Maes shared that she heard two little cries from her baby, but when she quickly turned around, Zeldris was nowhere to be seen. 'It happened so quick,' Maes said in a post on Facebook. She immediately called the police, and a multi-agency search and rescue mission kicked off. Crews searched the Blue River and surrounding areas for several hours before finding the little boy's body at the area off Willow Way along the Blue River Trail. The area is just west of Blue River Parkway, about eight miles north of Interstate 70. Zeldris's grieving mother wants her baby boy to be remembered as a pure, innocent soul who made everyone's day brighter. Maes said Zeldris was a loving baby who would always give hugs and kisses and was truly her pride and joy. She is a stay-at-home mom, so the two of them did everything together. Maes said that what she'll miss the most about Zeldris is him climbing on top of her every morning. 'Im so heartbroken from this s*** and yall seem to say im not a good parent or this and that when I was trying to keep both of my children safe,' she wrote online. Maes said that what she'll miss the most about Zeldris is him climbing on top of her every morning Town of Silverthorne officials said they were 'heartbroken' to find the child's body. 'Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one and to emergency responders who were involved in the incident,' they wrote in a prepared statement on social media. The Summit County Coroner's Office have not yet released the official cause of death.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
He's not a federal offender, but for 4 years this N.B. man has lived in prison
Social Sharing Darrell Tidd says his autistic son's placement in a federal correctional centre is a stark example of the gap in housing options for New Brunswickers with disabilities. Since 2021, Devan has been living at the Shepody Healing Centre, the psychiatric wing of Dorchester Penitentiary. When Tidd sends Devan money, he has to enter a federal inmate number. Devan isn't allowed to keep a cellphone with him, the same rule that inmates follow. But Devan, 32, isn't a federal offender. He has autism and pervasive developmental disorder, and he is extremely anxious. Under certain circumstances, such as a change in environment, Devan can become aggressive toward others, his father said. Several times, Devan's been charged but found not criminally responsible for assault and property damage. His admission to the federal prison is part of an agreement between New Brunswick and Ottawa that costs $1.2 million annually and allows the province to use up to five beds at a time for people found not criminally responsible. A judge may deem someone not criminally responsible if the person doesn't have the capacity to understand their actions because of a mental disorder. WATCH | Devan Tidd's case is the most concerning one ever seen by disabilities group: This man was never sentenced to federal prison, but that's where he lives 6 hours ago Darrell Tidd's autistic son is living in the psychiatric wing of Dorchester Penitentiary. He believes his son could thrive in a community setting if he had the right resources. "I'm not saying my son is perfect," Tidd said in an interview near his home in St. George. "But he certainly doesn't belong in a federal prison." Shelley Petit said Devan's case is the most "egregious" she's seen through her advocacy work as chair of the New Brunswick Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. "How? How did anybody let this happen?" Petit said. Devan has "a form of neurodivergence that, they do, they get scared," she said. 'They don't understand, they cannot communicate, and [aggression] is a natural reaction. And you're putting them in jail for that?" Shifting home When the province placed Devan in special care homes, Tidd said, staff didn't have the specialized training to meet his needs. He ultimately moved into four different homes, assaulted staff members on two occasions, and damaged property. While he faced charges in all cases, he was found not criminally responsible. He was sent to the Restigouche Hospital Centre in 2013. In 2019, Tidd and co-plaintiff Reid Smith launched a class action lawsuit against the province and Vitalité Health Network, alleging patients at the Restigouche Hospital were subjected to decades of abuse. That same year, the province's ombud reported "mistreatment and inadequate care" at the hospital. In 2021, Devan was transferred to Shepody, a move Tidd believes amounts to "warehousing" his son rather than working with his complex needs. He said Devan has not received the help he needs at Shepody and continues to struggle with aggressive behaviour. This isn't the first time Caroline Jose has heard a story like Devan's. Jose, a Vitalité Health Network researcher and vice-chair of the Autism Resource Center for southeast New Brunswick, said there's an education gap. Often, people are not trained to think about what might be triggering a behaviour, Jose said. "A lot of the times the violence that can be expressed by those people is just a problem of, of communication with the people around," she said. "So [they] can show some distress, but they don't know how to tell the distress." Jose said the trauma of living in a correctional setting is likely to worsen behaviour in a case like Devan's. "We might just increase the problem instead of decreasing it, or hiding it — because we're really hiding it for now." Asked about the use of correctional settings when someone found not criminally responsible has a disability, government spokesperson Geoffrey Downey said the New Brunswick Review Board decides where that person will be placed. "The Department of Health provides the funding for health care services — including nursing and psychiatric services — wherever individuals found NCR are referred to, and ensures those services are being provided," he said in a statement. "The Department of Health does not make a determination of where specific individuals are referred." $1.2M annual agreement New Brunswick has paid for access to beds at Shepody since 2023, according to the Department of Health. "Under this agreement, the department contributes to the cost of nursing and psychiatric services for individuals found not criminally responsible," spokesperson Meghan Cumby said by email. "This often involves cases where a high level of security is required. These individuals would receive the same level of care and services as provided to federal offenders at the centre." She noted Shepody is a psychiatric facility with a higher security level than Restigouche, and anyone placed there would receive mental health services. "Placements, which can be authorized by the NB Review Board, are made when that level of security is needed," Cumby said. Tidd says Devan gets access to a psychiatrist at Shepody. But he maintains his son should be housed in a setting with support specifically for people with disabilities, not alongside inmates. "I don't care how anyone window dresses it, it's a federal prison," Tidd said in an interview. "My son is in a federal prison, because of his mental health challenges. "If my son had the help that he needed within the community, my son could thrive within the community." Housing gap When institutional settings for people with disabilities closed for ethical and medical reasons before 1980, Jose said a proper housing alternative was never really implemented. "We didn't make any any effort since we closed institution[s] to actually build an environment for them that is inclusive and accessible, but also human," Jose said. As a result, she said, people with higher needs are often left without options. "We've seen in in a lot of areas that some autistic adults or even with other neurodevelopmental conditions stay in the hospital in the psychiatric unit for years without any, really health issues, but just because their behaviour is not manageable anymore by their parents," Jose said. "There is no other place in the community where there is enough trained staff to support them, so hospital was one of the solutions. But again, now hospitals, they need the beds, so they make room. And when they make room, well, the last resort is actually a [correctional] establishment." Petit believes more housing complexes for people with needs like Devan's could have been built with funds now going toward beds at Shepody. But in order to keep people like Devan in a community environment, Jose said, there must be leadership in that direction. "This problem is like a hot potato. So any ministries would just throw it away. No, it's not mine, that's your problem. It's not Social Development, it's Health. No, it's not Health, it's Justice … all their life they are subjects to be the potato for, for the government," Jose said.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
New neurodiverse support centre opens in Dingwall
The family of a six-year-old boy who lives with autism has paid tribute to those behind the creation of a new facility in charity Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland (ANNS) has opened the first purpose-built neurodiverse support centre in the includes a soft play area, sensory room, garden and family space and is aimed at youngsters aged between four and Law, whose son Alfie regularly attends the centre, said the facility was desperately needed as previously there was nothing similar that they could access. It is expected to benefit 120 individuals - and their families - who live with conditions like autism and nearest similar facilities are in Aberdeen or the central said he understood that funding was an issue but he felt more centres like the one in Dingwall were needed."It's not anybody's fault but it's great that there's people actually putting their hands in their pocket and helping," he said."I don't think those people who are helping get enough recognition and thanks."Thank you for doing what you're doing and giving us the opportunity to put our son somewhere that is a beacon of hope and an opportunity for us to reconnect with our children."The facility was made possible due to a donation of £200,000 from long-time supporter of the charity, Envoy Council has also given a similar amount to cover operating costs for the next two years, thanks to Scottish government funding. Billy Alexander, ANNS chief executive, said the facility marked a major milestone not only for the charity but for neurodivergent communities across the said many rural areas were missing out on vital support McLaughlin, chief executive of Scottish Autism, said it was an excellent facility that would benefit many individuals as well as their families. SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Maree Todd added that although funding was challenging, the new facility showed what could be achieved by working collaboratively.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fast Show actor's child took own life at home aged just 25 as dad opens up on ‘incomprehensible tragedy'
THE child of a Fast Show actor took their own life aged 25 after a "traumatic" stint in hospital, an inquest heard. Cal Shearer was tragically discovered dead at home in Oxford on October 30. 5 5 The student's dad Paul Shearer was a regular on comedy show The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997. He paid tribute to Cal, who was transgender, at an inquest into the Oxford University PhD student's death. Paul said: "There were many facets to their personality. 'After their death, Cal's mum in a social media post said they were brave, beautiful and compassionate. 'They were capable of warmth and love. They spent many hours helping at Oxford Nightline. 'Cal's death was a tragedy and incomprehensible to those around them." Oxford Coroner's Court was told Cal had been diagnosed with autism in 2018 and had a "long battle" with suicidal thoughts. From March to May last year, Cal was in hospital, which was described as a "traumatic" experience. The student had received treatment from Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust. The family lodged a complaint with the trust over its handling over Cal's care, saying more should have been done to account for their autism. Cal's wife Imogen Voysey-Shearer told the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew what to do with the student. Paying tribute, she added: "Cal was someone who everyone liked. They helped others in so many ways. 'Cal was kind, funny and compassionate. Cal was liked in every area of their life, but felt their death was inevitable. 'Coming home to Cal was the best part of my day. We played Minecraft together. 'Cal had a long history of difficulties with their mental health. Cal had a rough time getting up in the morning and struggled going into the lab.' Dr Stephen Merson, consultant psychiatrist at the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, was asked if the care team had been "dismissive" of Cal's autism. He replied: 'No. We are improving our awareness of the implications of autism. I don't think we ignored the risk aspect.' Recording a verdict of suicide, area coroner Nicholas Graham offered his condolences to Cal's devastated family. He added: "Concerns have been raised around Cal's mental health care and treatment. 'The trust has accepted failings in these areas. It was accepted there was an absence of a documented care plan. "The failings contributed to a deterioration in Cal's mental health which ultimately lead to their death.' How to get help EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 Paul was a member of Cambridge University's Footlights ensemble alongside Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie. He starred in the first series of sketch comedy show There's Nothing to Worry About! the following year with the ensemble. Paul is best known for his appearances on the The Fast Show where he played a variety of characters, including a bemused customer in the 'Suit You' tailors segments. Cal's mum and film producer mum Vicky Licorish presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. 5 5 5
CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
This man was never sentenced to federal prison, but that's where he lives
Darrell Tidd's autistic son is living in the psychiatric wing of Dorchester Penitentiary. He believes his son could thrive in a community setting if he had the right resources.
