I feel that Finley’s case reminds us that in patients with learning disabilities and autism, any action can be deemed as a way of ‘communicating’. I did feel there was a lack of information in Finley’s case study and it was difficult to gauge if sectioning was the correct cause of action. Did he hit somebody because they tried to stop him hitting himself or they got too close to him while he was hitting himself and those around him?
I’ve seen patients with learning disabilities have their carers with them in hospital and I feel like that wasn’t done for Finley. I felt he was very alone in a new environment and without anything that was familiar to him. The text didn’t say whether he was diagnosed with a mental health condition. His autism and learning disabilities aren’t mental health disorders, so is it right to detain him when he was only acting on what he knew/felt at the time?
It sounds like the parents aren’t really sure how to look after Finley and may need the extra support. Autistic individuals can get used to procedures like oral care if done correctly and consistently.
