Interesting conversation with the social worker where David is in care.
The solution that the social worker at the hospital gave me was to call the cops if he becomes aggressive.
I explained that the community depends on the Sheriff department for our police department and that they might have to come from their main office or further away.
So their response time could be delayed up to half an hour depending on the number of deputies on shift. She asked if there was any way I could get them to respond faster. So I mentioned the miles involved. 35 miles to the main office, 50 miles to the south border of the county, that kind of thing..
“Can you get them to respond faster???” she asked.
I actually pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at incredulously… like maybe she could see the look on my face as it passed through the phone.
Then we had a discussion about things we are trying to put in place.
“What are you working on?” she asked.
“Placement, therapy, any thing that will help.” I replied.
“Like what?” she responded.
“Placement, therapy, any thing that will help.” I stated again.
“Like what?” she droned again.
So I got specific.
“We are dedicating a room in our home for storage of knives, chemicals, medications, anything that could be used to harm another human being.” I stated with a bit of anger.
Her reply, “that must be a lot of work.”
I explained that we weren’t going to see David this evening but that we would call tonight and talk to him, since we had to finish getting our home secure. Do you have any idea how many every day items can be used to hurt someone? It is a lot more than you think.
As we ended the call, she asked, “what time are you going to pick him up tomorrow?”
I hedged a bit, since I want him there as long as possible, “between 1 and 2.”
Before the call ended, she replied in that tone all people who just don’t want to be doing what they are doing, “If there is anything I can do, please let us know.”
“Keep him for a couple of days or a week more.” is my response, but by that time she had disconnected the call.
I am speechless its a shame you cannot get another social worker as she is clearly just giving lip service. My son has high functioning autism and its not easy. We have been lucky with special support, via a school and mental health worker. That’s more luck than judgement though as you obviously have a lot to deal with. I pray it will work out and positive things will be put in place to help.
We have been at odds with our school in the past. It should not be this difficult to get services for anyone with mental health issues. The way we have been treated by this person has been atrocious. People need and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.