About 50 percent of Adults with Autism Are Abused By their Peers: Survey

Around half of autistic patients are abused by their peers and friends, finds a survey.

The National Autistic Society, a charity organization in U.K. surveyed 1,300 adults with autism in the country and found many of them refrained from going out of their houses due to fear of being abused by people and acquaintances.  The survey revealed half of the subjects were abused by someone who they knew from a long time and 37 percent confessed to being coerced into doing things they didn't want to do. Nearly 44 percent reported not going outside to avoid abuse and harassment.

One-fourth of the autistic adults said they had been mugged and people stole their money and possessions.

People suffering from this condition have poor ability to gauge other's intentions and interpret behavior. Therefore, they fall prey to threats and manipulation. In addition, the agency found seventy percent of the autism patients needed somebody to remind them to do basic activities like dressing, washing ad eating. Almost seven in 10 patients missed meals and over 86 percent said they did not bathe.

These findings are indicative of the severe neglect suffered by autistic patients and health officials believe the assistance provided to this group of people must extend beyond just prompting patients to change, eat or wash.

"These alarming figures paint a depressing picture of the horrendous abuse and neglect experienced by many adults with autism. We have heard deeply distressing stories of men and women living in utterly intolerable conditions," said Mark Lever, chief executive of NAS, reports the Guardian.

"One professional told us of a man who had been found at home suffering from severe malnutrition and with mould growing on his skin as he was unable to feed or clean himself without prompting."

Although many people with autism do not rely on professional assistance, many still need help. Lever also added the existing care system and support by the government must be revamped and strictly focus on fulfilling basic needs of at risk patients with autism to prevent abuse and exploitation.

"Information and advice alone will not be enough to protect these at-risk individuals falling into crisis. Local authorities must be obliged to provide the direct support we know people with autism need in the first instance to stay safe and healthy," write the officials in NAS, reports the Daily Mail.