A preliminary investigation report into alleged abuse at a Nova Scotia home for adults with special needs has been released, and the mother of the non-verbal complainant is concerned about the facts.

Eileen MacDonald says her daughter, Amanda Sheehan, experienced emotional abuse at a residential care home in Amherst, N.S. 

MacDonald says her daughter was forced to stay in her room for days and eat her meals on her bed.

“I am not happy with that at all,” said MacDonald. “It breaks every rule I have ever known.”

The report outlines findings of a Nova Scotia Department of Community Services investigation into the alleged abuse.

According to the report, 14 staff members say when Sheehan moved in, her behaviours were more aggressive than they had been prepared for. The report says there was no support plan in place, and they didn't know how to support her.

The report says the director advised to keep Sheehan in her room. He told the investigator he never intended to keep her sequestered at all times, only when she was aggressive to herself, staff and other residents.

The director declined to comment on the matter.

“When a child with autism has a behavior, there was always a reason for it. And that's what they have to look into,” said MacDonald.

The preliminary investigation report says 20 people, including the director, were interviewed. During the investigation, Sheehan's medication records were also reviewed.

The investigator says that's when a new concern came to light regarding the way her medication was being administered.

“This was from her psychiatrist who prescribed them to begin with – one in the morning and one when needed, so if they were giving her one with every meal that is very wrong,” said MacDonald.

Advocating Parents of Nova Scotia says the findings are disturbing and the director should be suspended with pay until the investigation is complete.

“I think it's incumbent upon the home that if they're not comfortable with the level of care that they can provide that they reach out to community services,” said Brenda Hardiman of Advocating Parents of Nova Scotia.

Cynthia Carroll, the executive director of Autism Nova Scotia, says the incident highlights the need for autism spectrum disorder training and ongoing professional support of residential staff to understand the needs of the residents.

“Complex and challenging behaviours seen by individuals with ASD are rarely spontaneous,” said Carroll in a statement. “They are a form of communication that follow warning signs. If you are not aware of the warning signs or triggers to a person's behaviour, you can see acting out behaviour, but it is preventable with the right training and support put in place.”   

MacDonald, the home, and the director have until mid-June to respond to the report. After that a final report will be submitted to the Department of Community Services.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.