Aug 6, 2024, KPRC 2 Houston: Kingwood family fears for safety after son with autism, epilepsy waitlisted for treatment center
VIDEO
The lack of living facilities for adults with intellectual disabilities could be causing one Kingwood family harm.
The family says their 33 year old son Christopher is diagnosed with autism, epilepsy and is non verbal.
Over the past year, the family says, he’s had violent episodes that has put their safety at risk.
Reporter: The family says they’ve been trying to get their son into a state living center in Richmond that is operated by HHS, but they’ve been put on a long waitlist.
Covered in bruises is the norm for Eileen Simonetti.
Eileen: Bloody nose, black eyes, black and blue, all of us, my whole family.
Reporter: She says her 33 year old son Christopher regularly has violent episodes damaging their home as he faces many struggles.
Eileen: He has profound autism, epilepsy, diabetes, anxiety disorder. When the epilepsy started in high school is when the behaviors became violent an dout of control.
He can be so good. He can be very loving and sweet, and we love him.
It’s a constant living with a ticking time bomb.
Reporter: The Richmond State Support Living Center evaluated her son in November. In February she learned her son was waitlisted.
Eileen: They said it could take 12 to 18 months
Reporter: Angelina Hudson is the CEO of NAMI Greater Houston who has educated on intellectual disorders. She says a shortage of state living centers is contributing to the long waitlist.
Angelina: The number of beds in any facility is determined by the number of clinicians, the number of doctors that are available.
Reporter: The Hera Center has been a liaison for Simonetti’s family. She feels they have been getting the runaround for month without a clear answer for when her son will be off the waitlist.
Have they told you what you can do in the meantime while you wait?
Eileen: They say look for a group home.
Reporter: Hera Center says Health and Human Services is in charge of that waitlist. It’s unclear how long that waitlist is, but I have reached out to HHS for comment. They said they are looking into my request, and we will let you know once we hear back.
Comments