BBC
Quote:
A new independent review found Oliver McGowan's death at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, was "potentially avoidable".
His parents Paula and Tom McGowan said they repeatedly told doctors he should not be given the drug and have called for a new inquest to be held.
Oliver, who was mildly autistic and had epilepsy and learning difficulties, was being treated for a seizure in 2016 when he was given olanzapine to sedate him.
The 18-year-old from Bristol died in intensive care 17 days later after a rare side effect caused his brain to swell.
The learning disability mortality review (LeDeR) into the death said that if Oliver had been assessed correctly on admission to hospital and staff had read his hospital passport, he may never have needed to be intubated and sedated.
It said: "There was a general lack of understanding and acknowledgement of Oliver's autism and how he presented himself when in seizure.
"Despite there being a body of written evidence - alongside verbal requests from Oliver and his family - not to prescribe olanzapine, there was no substantial evidence to illustrate that consideration had been given to explore alternatives to anti-psychotic medication."
This lack of understanding and drug prescribing is why I always advise people seeking an autism assessment to steer clear of psychiatrists and seek a psychologist, Preferably one that understands how autism presents in your particular age and gender.
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“Self Acceptance is a process not a performance”
“You are autistic enough. And you always have been”
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
21 Oct 2020, 3:08 am
