EXCLUSIVE: Gloria Allred: Octo-Mom's Autistic Son At High Risk
Apr. 30 2009, Published 10:49 a.m. ET
After learning that Octo-Mom Nadya Suleman had been visited by police and social services, famed attorney Gloria Allred expressed her concern about the children's welfare in an exclusive RadarOnline.com interview.
Nadya's son Aiden, who is autistic, went to school with a black eye, but Octo-Mom said he often bumps into things. That explanation, however, doesn't cut it with Allred who reveals she will be re-contacting law enforcement and Children's Services.
Allred told RadarOnline.com: "I am shocked by Nadya's reported response to Aidan's black eye that "he's autistic, he bumps into things," and that he has bite marks as well. It is important for the authorities to determine the cause of the child's injury and to make sure that the injuries did not result from abuse or neglect.
"Because Aidan, age 3, is autistic, and has special needs, he is in need of special monitoring and protection by Nadya so that he will be protected from himself and others, who may not understand his behavior and how to react to it in an appropriate manner.
"As one of 14 young children Aidan appears especially vulnerable and particularly in need of trained, experienced individualized care.
"My client, Angels in Waiting and myself have been concerned from the first time that we met Aidan that he was in particular need of professionals trained and experienced in autism and that because he was not adequately supervised by such trained professionals he would be exposed to a high risk of bodily and emotional harm."
Those special needs are not being met, Allred says.
She told RadarOnline.com: "AIW brought this issue of trained providers knowledgeable in autism behaviors to Nadya's attention, but it appears that the child "has now suffered an injury which might have been prevented.
"We plan to provide Children's Services and law enforcement with evidence of our suggestions to Nadya of ways to teach and protect this child, and her reaction to these important suggestions." (Photo: WENN)