Nicolas and Carl
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.
Nicolas’s mum and dad separated when he was in primary school. The court ordered Nicolas live alternate weeks with each parent.
But Carl, his dad, told the Royal Commission this has caused Nicholas ‘severe stress and deprived him the opportunity to learn an abundance of new skills so that he can enjoy a life full of happiness and independence’.
Nicolas is autistic, has a cognitive disability and lives with seizures. He has severe anxiety that causes him to behave impulsively. He will jump out of a moving car, run into traffic and often absconds. He self-harms and can be aggressive.
Now in his late teens, Nicolas has had multiple hospital admissions. Child psychiatrists use various medications to stabilise his seizures and behaviour.
However Nicolas’s parents have different opinions about the best way to manage and support their son’s needs – they disagree about the use of medication.
Donna, his mum, alters the dosage or withdraws medication completely. Instead, Carl said, she uses ‘mechanical restrain, physical punishment and persistent verbal berating’. Donna has been counselled about some of her techniques. She recently agreed to stop feeding Nicolas hot sauce or using the threat of hot sauce to modify his behaviour.
Additionally, Donna spends long periods of time away. During these periods support workers look after Nicolas, administering medication on an ad hoc basis.
In discharge summaries over the years, doctors have noted ‘the impact of repeated medication initiation and withdrawal should not be underestimated’. They stressed that Nicolas poses a risk to himself and can’t participate safely in the community without medication.
As soon as Nicolas turned 18, Carl successfully applied to the guardianship board for the public advocate to become his guardian.
Nicolas continued to spend time with Donna, but while she was away his medication was stabilised and he participated in a life skills development program. Carl said Nicolas was able to sit calmly and ‘learn an abundance of new skills’.
Carl progressed a plan for Nicolas to live independently.
But Donna opposed the plan and again withdrew all medication. Carl said Nicolas regressed. His anxiety increased, he became non-verbal, incontinent and his self-harming behaviours increased.
‘I am at a loss to understand as to how [my son]’s life skill programs and medical care have been sabotaged and his security and safety compromised.’
Carl said the public advocate has since addressed Nicolas’s living arrangements. He now resides in medium-term accommodation managed by an NDIS service provider.
Carl is hopeful Nicolas will now gain ‘therapeutic benefit from appropriate medication administered transparently and independently’.
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.