PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of a mother of a son who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and psychosis in adulthood, the impact of this on his behaviour, and her quest to obtain healthcare.Design/methodology/approachCase study.FindingsWhile a striking story in its own right, the experiences described have a number of wider implications for the treatment of mental ill heath in ASD, the exclusion of families and carers from the care of their adult children in services, and the impact of this on the individuals directly affected.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper offers a number of practical recommendations for the understanding and management of autism in generic mental health services, and the involvement of families and carers in the care of their relative.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to describe mental ill health and offending behaviour in ASD, from the perspective of a mother.