Our autistic son is built like the Hulk – I fear he is putting himself & others in danger on Glasgow hospital baby ward
A MUM says her severely autistic son is putting himself and others “in danger” on a children’s ward where he has been stuck for seven months.
Gillian Reid’s non-verbal lad Steven, 16, is languishing in hospital amid claims there are no residential facilities in Scotland to meet his complex needs.
The exhausted mother told how the teen, who has the mental capacity of a three-year-old, towers over her and his dad John, 64, and is prone to violent outbursts and unpredictable behaviour.
The couple are now desperate for him to be found a place in a specialist residential care facility where he can thrive.
Frustrated Gillian, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, said: “Steven’s a big lad.
“He is built like the Incredible Hulk and he’s in a paediatric ward with small children and babies.
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“I would never forgive myself if he accidentally hurt someone.
“He has already tried to pick up a baby thinking it was a doll. He doesn’t mean any harm, he just doesn’t have the mental capacity to understand.”
Gillian says her son is cooped up in a room at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and only allowed outside if there are enough staff to go with him, adding to his frustration.
The despairing parent went on: “He is in hospital as he jumped out of a moving taxi and was running in front of cars.
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“He had reached crisis point but he should not even be in there — the hospital is not meeting his needs.”
She added: “It just feels hopeless. We want Steven to have the best quality of life that he deserves.
“We have been told there are no residential facilities in Scotland for him so they might have to move him to England on his own.”
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “This is a complex issue and we are doing all we can to support the family.”
Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership said it “takes account of family wishes but placement availability will override this at times”.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “Clinical teams regularly engage with social services to address issues and best meet of our patients’ needs.”
