This young man's death is a tragedy that should never have happened, and my heart goes out to his family.
It's a reminder to stay focused on common ground. Whatever differences exist in our community, we can agree on this: people with the most significant support needs deserve safe, attentive, and adequately resourced care — and they deserve urgent, sustained investment in research and treatments that address the most disabling aspects of autism and co-occurring conditions — the kind that leave individuals vulnerable in settings like this one.