Lucan and Jonty
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Lucan is in his 20s and is autistic.
‘He’s also very barmy and whacky and likes to joke and dance,’ his dad Jonty told the Royal Commission. ‘His autistic traits come out largely when he’s under stress or pressure or when ignored or neglected or whatever.’
Jonty enrolled Lucan in a mainstream school, but discovered its disability unit was ‘largely segregated’.
‘They were kept to separate playgrounds. They had separate equipment and very, very, rarely mixed with the mainstream kids.’
One day a teacher locked Lucan in a cage within the unit.
‘He was bawling his eyes out. Sitting bawling his eyes out because he couldn’t simply push his mates around on the scooter. Just simple stuff, but appalling.’
Jonty took Lucan out of the school, but couldn’t find one that offered Lucan an inclusive education. He ended up enrolling him in a special school, but discovered it was funded based on what Lucan couldn’t do.
‘How often do you need assistance with your food etc, etc? … They used that process … to work out how much of a deficit you had. It was all a deficit approach. There was no sense of looking for attributes and [what] you might be able to do in the future.’
When Jonty later enrolled Lucan in a mainstream high school, he had to ‘fight like hell for any integration’.
When Lucan attended a school camp, he ended up being locked in a room. His behaviour deteriorated from that point.
‘He was never the same after that camp … Whatever happened, it’s traumatised him.’
Jonty said a psychiatrist prescribed antipsychotic medication that made things worse.
‘His behaviour just got more unreasonable and [he] couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stay still. Because he was [given medication] … each time his behaviour would go backwards or [he’d] end up in hospital trying to get some help, they would increase it.’
The NDIS supports Lucan, but as his behaviour deteriorated Jonty struggled to find him suitable accommodation.
‘When it came to us needing accommodation he went into hospital and we camped in hospital.’
Eventually, Lucan entered a group home, where he became constipated due to poor diet. There was no fresh fruit or vegetables – everything was frozen.
Jonty said one service provider kicked Lucan out of the house for refusing to use their day service as well as their overnight care.
Frustrated with the poor service and lack of options, Jonty set up a family company. Lucan now rents a house in his own name and his family helps him control his independent living options.
‘My wife runs the menu and house, lots of the house stuff. I do the hiring and firing and staff.’
Lucan now has a permanent job.
‘He’s got real mainstream friends there who are all older than him, but he’s very much a part of the team and … he loves it.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.