Kirklees Domestic Violence Week: Disability and abuse

Oct 2 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Kirklees Domestic Violence Week: Disability and abuse

CARING for someone with a physical or mental disability brings with it obvious challenges.

But when that person lashes out because of the frustrations they feel because of their condition, the job can become even more difficult.

David Newell is a development officer for the charity Sacar, which helps people with autism and Asperger syndrome.

The Bradford-based charity also has a base at Huddersfield Methodist Mission on Lord Street.

People with autism and Asperger’s tend to struggle socially and find it difficult understanding and relating to other people and taking part in everyday family and social life.

Mr Newell said that the frustrations they feel as a result can sometimes boil over into aggression aimed at the people who love them.

He said: “Because people with autism and Asperger syndrome struggle to understand social situations, they can be very aggressive and abusive at home with parents and partners.

“It stems from a frustration about how they can communicate what they might be feeling, or be irritated by.

“Mothers in particular can find it very difficult to deal with, because it peaks and troughs.

“It can be extremely frightening, but it’s not necessarily done maliciously, or aimed at anyone in particular. They aren’t doing it because they want to.”

One in 60 people is thought to have autistic tendencies.

Its cause remains something of a mystery.

But, because of the effects on their ability to relate to others, those who live with autism and Asperger’s may also find themselves open to abuse.