Case Alleges Abuse at Center for People With Autism

Takeaways

• A recent lawsuit alleges severe abuse and systemic failure at a residential center in New York state for people with autism.
• For families considering residential care for their child with autism, verifying facility licensing, observing staff interactions, understanding complaint protocols, and seeking advocacy support are key.

Children with autism spectrum disorder require a wide range of assistance. Some need a light amount of help while others require significant round-the-clock attention. For some parents, raising a child with autism requires a level of care and attention that leads them to find a place with resources that will offer their child an environment designed to best meet their unique needs.

When parents move their child to a facility for people with autism, they trust the facility’s staff to give their child the care and respect they deserve. But what happens when their child endures abuse while living in the facility?

In January 2026, a The New York Times article addressed a lawsuit filed by Anil and Shalini Babbar on behalf of their autistic son, A.B., against the Anderson Center for Autism, a residential care provider in New York state. The complaint alleges that while A.B. lived in the center, he was subjected to abuse, neglect, and disability-based mistreatment, including physical and sexual misconduct by staff, that went unaddressed by supervisors.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, processes information, and interacts with the world. ASD is described as a “spectrum” because it affects individuals in different ways and to varying degrees.

Common characteristics may include:

• Differences in verbal or nonverbal communication
• Difficulty with social interaction or interpreting social cues
• Sensory sensitivities (to lights, sounds, touch, or movement)
• A need for routine or predictability

Autistic individuals’ skills and challenges vary. Many learn to navigate society and can live on their own. However, others require lifelong care.

Why Children With ASD Go to Residential Centers

Some people may wonder why parents of a child with autism would send them to a residential care facility when stories of abuse sometimes circulate through the news. For most parents, placing a child in a residential center is not a first choice; it’s a last, carefully considered step made out of love, exhaustion, and concern for safety.

Support Needs That Exceed What Can Be Provided at Home

Some children and young adults with ASD have intensive support needs, including:

• Severe communication challenges (including being nonverbal)
• Significant intellectual disabilities
• Profound sensory sensitivities
• Limited ability to perform activities of daily living (bathing, toileting, eating)

Even the most devoted parents may not be able to provide 24/7 skilled support, especially as the child grows physically stronger or their needs become more complex. Parents may choose residential centers for their around-the-clock staffing, structured environments, and access to specialists trained in developmental disabilities.

Safety Concerns

Some individuals with autism experience behaviors that can be dangerous if not carefully managed, such as:

• Self-injury (headbanging, biting, running away)
• Aggression during periods of distress
• Property destruction
• Lack of danger awareness (traffic, water, heights)

Parents may place their child in residential care because:

• The home environment cannot be adequately secured
• Siblings or caregivers are at risk of injury
• Emergency services are being called frequently

In these cases, residential placement is often seen as the safest option available, not a rejection of the child.

Parental Burnout and Caregiver Health

Caring for a child with significant disabilities can be physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting, especially over many years. Parents may face chronic sleep deprivation, stress-related health problems, depression or anxiety, or loss of employment or income.

In two-parent households, one parent often becomes a full-time caregiver. In single-parent families, the burden can be overwhelming. Residential care may serve as a path that helps ensure the parent can continue to be present and supportive in their child’s life.

Access to Specialized Therapies and Consistent Programming

Residential centers may offer integrated services that are difficult to coordinate in the community, such as:

• Behavioral supports
• Speech and communication therapy
• Life-skills training
• Consistent routines tailored to autism

For some people with ASD, consistency across all hours of the day, not just during therapy sessions, is critical for stability and progress.

Transition to Adulthood and Long-Term Planning

As children with autism become adults, families often confront difficult realities:

• Aging parents who may not be able to provide lifelong care
• The need for adult-appropriate services and peer interaction
• Planning for care continuity after a parent’s illness or death

Residential programs are sometimes viewed as a bridge to adulthood or a long-term solution that offers stability beyond the family home.

Professional Recommendations

In some cases, placement follows recommendations from physicians, psychologists, school districts, or state agencies. These recommendations are typically based on assessments that conclude the individual needs a level of care that cannot be safely or effectively delivered at home.

Desire for Socialization and Structured Community

For some individuals, residential settings provide predictable schedules, peer interaction with others who have similar needs, and opportunities for supervised community engagement. Parents may hope this environment will reduce isolation and improve quality of life.

A Critical Point: Placement Does Not Mean Abandonment

Placing a child in residential care is not abandonment. Most parents remain deeply involved in their child’s life, visiting frequently, advocating tirelessly, and staying emotionally connected. When abuse occurs, responsibility lies with the perpetrator, the institution, and the systems that failed to provide oversight, not with parents who acted in good faith to protect their child.

Families who choose residential care are often navigating impossible trade-offs in a system with too few supports. Understanding why parents make these choices helps shift the conversation away from blame and toward what truly matters: building safer, more transparent, better-resourced systems of care for people with disabilities.

A Glimpse into the Case

According to court filings, video evidence from a whistleblower reportedly showed a staff member grabbing A.B.’s genitals and forcefully dragging him. Although that individual later pleaded guilty to felony abuse charges and received a prison sentence, the lawsuit contends that Anderson Center failed both to act on early reports and to ensure safety and dignity for its residents. The Babbars are seeking accountability through civil litigation for the harms inflicted on their son and are challenging systemic failures at the facility.

This case is not isolated. Research shows that disabled children living in group homes or institutional settings are at a higher risk of abuse and neglect than their nondisabled peers, partly due to dependency, barriers to communication, and the number of staff and fellow residents they encounter. Because mistreatment in care settings has repeatedly surfaced in various forms, families should approach residential care placements with diligence. When oversight is weak, people with disabilities can be especially vulnerable.

Finding Safe, Reputable Housing for a Loved One With Autism

Choosing housing or residential support for a loved one with ASD is one of the most consequential decisions a family can make. Below are practical steps and considerations to help ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of a family member with autism.

Research Licensing, Accreditation, and Inspection Records

Verify licensing with the state agency that oversees residential care or developmental disability services. Confirm the provider is in good standing, has passed recent inspections, and has no unresolved violations. Check accreditation from reputable organizations, such as CARF International and Joint Commission, that require adherence to rigorous standards.

Ask About Staff Training and Turnover

Inquire about how staff are recruited, trained, and supervised, especially in areas such as de-escalation, communication with nonverbal residents, and recognizing signs of distress. High staff turnover can indicate burnout or poor working conditions, which families and studies often cite as correlates of poor care.

Visit the Facility Multiple Times

Trust your instincts during visits (unannounced if possible). Observe interactions between staff and residents; note whether residents appear calm, engaged, and comfortable. Ask to see daily routines, how personal care is managed, and how the facility handles conflict or distress.

Inquire About Transparency and Communication

Good providers welcome family involvement and feedback. Ask how often family members receive updates about medical care, behavioral incidents, or changes in placement. Know your rights under laws like Jonathan’s Law (in New York) or local equivalents to access records and incident reports.

Talk With Other Families and Advocates

Seek out support groups, advocacy organizations, and other families whose loved ones live in the same or similar facilities. Firsthand insights can be invaluable. Autism advocacy networks often have directories or discussion forums that can point you toward reputable providers.

Understand Complaint and Safeguarding Protocols

Ensure there is a clear, well-publicized process for reporting concerns internally and to state authorities. Ask whether the facility has an ombudsman or independent watchdog that families can contact if they suspect abuse or neglect.

Consider Community-Based Alternatives

For many individuals, models such as supported living, shared homes with trained caregivers, or community integration programs can offer safer, more individualized support with greater autonomy.

Seek Legal and Advocacy Support

Engage a disability rights attorney or advocate early if you suspect poor care or abuse. These professionals understand regulatory frameworks and can help escalate concerns to proper authorities.

The Path Ahead

The lawsuit highlighted by The Times shows how deeply families trust chosen care providers and how devastating it can be when that trust is violated. While the vast majority of residential homes strive to provide compassionate, professional support, documented cases of abuse underscore the importance of vigilance, research, and advocacy on behalf of people with ASD.

Making informed, thorough, and proactive decisions can help families protect the dignity, safety, and quality of life of their loved ones, ensuring that supportive housing truly is a place of care, not harm.

For additional reading, check out the following:

• Advancements in Diagnosing and Supporting Kids With Autism
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children With Autism
• New Film Shows How Service Dogs Empower Children With Autism
• Grant Funding for Children With Special Needs
• 30 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Group Home