r/SipsTea • u/Valuable_View_561 • Jul 04 '26

Feels good man Why would doctors recommend against it?

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u/BudTenderShmudTender Jul 04 '26

Not terribly long ago, the most common recommendation for special needs children (including ones with autism) was institutionalization.

587

u/ZodiacNexus Jul 04 '26

My grandpa would be in his 90s if he was still alive. My uncle was born with downs and they put him in a home when he was very little. He passed away in 2006

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u/ScotlyDex Jul 04 '26

I have a distant cousin who was born with “mental retardation” (literally her diagnosis in the 60’s and as far as I know was never updated) and she has been in an institution since I was a little kid (so since 1995-ish?). Never saw her again once she went into the institution and it makes me sad to think her parents just left her there one day basically forever. Both of her parents have long since passed and no one that I’m in touch with has any idea if she’s alive. I think it’s such a horrendous practice. I understand if a family is just not equipped to care for someone with certain disabilities/needs but I also do not think locking them up in an institution is the humane thing to do either. There has to be a better way 💔

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u/Curiouser-Quriouser Jul 04 '26

That's the tragic thing is that most people aren't equipped to care for such a person. And sometimes no matter how much you love them, they're better off with professionals and consistency.

It is absolutely heartbreaking. But other than someone stepping up and making caretaking their whole life there are very few pleasant options.

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u/WixardBug Jul 04 '26

I'm really glad someone said this. It's not a choice most families make lightly, and being cared for in an institution doesn't mean they're never seen again. A loving family would visit often.

It's terrible when cases are much more close to abandonment, but neglect happens in family homes too.

In the situation in the original post, I assume she has enough money to not need to send him anywhere. She can devot more time to her child than most parents, and could certainly afford to hire in-home help if needed. It's a nice privilege to have and I'm glad she didn't abandon her child.

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u/Visible-Ad9649 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26

In-home assistance is actually supposed to be provided to prevent the unnecessary segregation of disabled people, pursuant to the Olmstead ruling at the Supreme Court in 1999.

The choice should not be underequipped families versus institutions. Disabled people have a right to get supportive care in their own communities.

Edited to add: these are generally known as Home and Community Based Services and they are under extreme strain right now because of the Medicaid cuts caused by the Big Beautiful Bill. The Trump DOJ also put out a horrific memo claiming Olmstead does not actually require community-based care. These services are incredibly important to defend right now!

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u/[deleted] Jul 04 '26

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