'I've got Autism' Badges. What are your thoughts please

AsknAnswer

I get sick and tired of my daughter being stared at by strangers in the street if she is having a moment. She is aware that she is "different" and seeing folks stare at her when she is having a spot of difficulty makes her kick off into a full blown wobbler! Instead of badges or t-shirts, I carry business cards around with me and hand them to the starers! They read:


"Thank you for taking the time to stare at my daughter. She does these things because she has a disability. You wouldn't tell a person with a guide dog to look where they are going; you know they cannot see. You cannot "see" my daughter's disability, but now that you know it is there, please don't judge her...or indeed me. Just as my daughter cannot control her actions, I cannot control her actions. Welcome to her world. Have a lovely day."

They are usually enough for people to bog off, mind their own business and make them think twice before they pass an unqualified judgement.

Zara33

If i'm honest I really don't care when others stare/tut, maybe you become tougher after years of it These strangers can think what they like about my parenting skills if they like, but it will not affect me, I will not let it affect me or my son!

People in glass houses and all that.

di3004

My son age 14 has aspergers syndrome and anxiety issues etc, he is home educated now, due to many bad things that happened to him at school, it's a long story so will not go through it right now, but as he was also in a special needs part unit of the school, he was made fun of, and called all sorts of names, some nasty person had made a sticky badge with the words "Sp*stic" and stuck it on the back of him.

Apparently these were kids that were not in the special needs class, during the break time they done this, he was wondering why people were lauging and calling him those names........:mad:

When he came home he told me that is what people thought he was.

There is more to it why he is home educated, where in the end it was agreed by the ed dept the best thing for him, because it came to the stage he used to hide in different places around the school, and they were always ringing me, we also had to get the police involved, he was being attached all the time, and it was then apparently recorded as well.

Anyway, I so also have a severely autistic brother he is in his mid 40's now, he has no speech so he cannot speak for himself, but I do remember when we used to go out as a family, as we are a family of 8 children, people used to stare, and laugh, but I understand that years ago autism was not known about like it is now.
I did not know any different as he is just a few years older than me, and with growing up with him.

He did have his moments when we were out, but that was due to frustration, and his way of trying to communicate, he is a darling though, like my son, and I would never change them for the world XXXXXX

asperger

i know it is so hard to find a good main stream school that are willing and try to help children with aspergers. I have just had to move my son from a school because of the teachers bullying him aswell as the kids.
and the SEN from the school had the balls to say that now my son is leaving she feels the teachers need more training about special needs.

vikki_louise

blue_monkey wrote: »

I'd love to know what you would think, as a bystander, if you think it would make a difference. Thanks.

I don't have a child with autism, but as a bystander it would definitely make a difference. Personally I think it depends on where abouts on the AS they are and their age, I think some of the critism of them is the idea of putting one on a teenager who is high on the AS or who has very severe autism as its more obvious, but for young children who don't appear disabled and can just look like they are badly behaved I think they are a good idea. I know a Mum who uses them in various situations and its really helped people understand her son and make little adaptions for him. I know a lady many years back now when her (grown up kids) were young, her oldest has downs syndrome and on the whole was very easy to handle and placid but if there was ever a problem then people around her would be very understanding and helpful, but her other son who had autism would just get nastey looks and comments.

I can't believe someone on here said that people shouldn't take their child out if they are badly behaved :shocked:

di3004

asperger wrote: »

i know it is so hard to find a good main stream school that are willing and try to help children with aspergers. I have just had to move my son from a school because of the teachers bullying him aswell as the kids.
and the SEN from the school had the balls to say that now my son is leaving she feels the teachers need more training about special needs.

Hiya hun

I feel for you.

Unfortunately, it is the same case for my son's school....well was school.

May I ask if your home education now then as well?

Feel free to pm me as well if you want to.;)
Di
X

mrbrightside842

I'm not sure it would make a difference to me, as a bystander. If I saw someone's child having a tantrum, I wouldn't look at a sticker as I wouldn't believe it to be my business. All kids throw tantrums at times, and I'm not one to judge that. However, if a child hit one of my children, I wouldn't be happy. Regardless of whether it was explained to me that the child had autism or not, I would not be impressed. I think if it were my child, I'd rather explain to those who I felt I needed to, rather than wear a badge to explain to EVERYONE.

sarlyka

I am also an adult with autism, diagnosed at the age of 39. I would like people to understand my condition but I don't think a badge or card would help. The adult autism strategy (currently in consultation process) should help to raise awareness of autism. I think we need a major publicity drive: TV, magazines etc.
I also run a consultancy providing training, awareness and support.

Saffronsmum

Great thread.

I have 2 daughters, one with AS and one with ASD/HFA, my eldest (AS) is 5 years old and to others apears to have no problems so she doesn't wear a badge (she would be upset if i made her wear one), my youngest (ASD) wears a badge mainly because she is non-verbal and a lot of people think she's being rude by not answering them and i also get fed up with people asking 'why doesn't she talk?' and 'is she shy?'. I got my badges from e-bay.

asperger

The problem is whenwe got told my son had asperger syndrome we where told no information at all and got no help at all, over the years we done much research and alot of trail and error and we found tell those who need to know about the conditon and others that knew my son but did not have much contact we told the basic's. I can see how the badges could work if the child can't explain for them selves when there young but as they get older i don't feel it would help. My son hates people known about his condition unless they have to.