Autism expert's report excluded from inquest into death of Caitlyn

EVIDENCE from a leading expert was excluded from the inquest of an autistic girl after an NHS trust and her school opposed it.

-  Liz Perkins

World-renowned Sir Simon Baron Cohen wrote a two-page report before the hearing into the death of Caitlyn Scott-Lee on April 21 last year the day before she was due to have her first detention.

The 16-year-old was issued the punishment at the £44,000-a-year Wycombe Abbey school Buckinghamshire after alcohol was found in her possession on March 19.

in Sir Simon, director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) and a Fellow of Trinity College, drew up a series of recommendations. These included that an autistic person who seeks help for depression should be seen by a specialist within 24 hours because of the increased risk of suicide.

Figures reveal that up to 66% of autistic adults have thought about taking their own life, and around 35% have attempted suicide.

Risk

Caitlyn had suffered from depression for three years and severe anxiety for 18 months before she took her own life.