Punished for Autism?

Friday, June 27, 2008

Several incidents in the last month have moms thinking.

An airplane was about to take off from Raleigh, N.C., when they turned around to remove an upset, autistic toddler and his mother. According to an American Airlines statement, Janice and Jarret Farrell were kicked off primarily because Janice wouldn't put her bag in an overhead compartment--but they also said that Jarrett was crying and screaming so loudly that "the child's well-being was in question." Was it really necessary to remove them from the plane--after all, what mom hasn't had the nightmare of a scared kid in flight? Or is it that we are in a new era of discrimination against autistic children?

In May, Carol Race's local parish got a restraining order against her autistic son, Adam, claiming that his behavior was extremely dangerous and disruptive and that he spit and urinated in church. She denies the claims.

Also in May, Alex Barton's kindergarten class was allowed to say what they didn't like about him and take a vote about whether they wanted him in class or not. By a 14 to 2 margin, little Alex lost.

Just this month, Darla Granger, mom of twin autistic boys, discovered that her sons' class--along with two other classes with autistic children--was left out of the school yearbook at Quail Glenn Elementary. Darla is filing a complaint against the local board of education.

"Autism discrimination against our kids is not new, what's new is that it's being noticed by the general public," said Genevieve Hinson, a blogger and mom of a 15-year-old with autism.

"Because autism awareness is gaining ground, these stories are getting reported on, and maybe they wouldn't have been before. It's sad what's happening to these kids, but in a way it might help benefit the greater good and the community, if people are made more aware of the challenges that people with autism face. Maybe people--instead of kicking them off the plane--will ask what they could do. For my son, it's (a matter of) giving us space--let him have his moment and he will be fine. It may be different for every person."

What's your view?

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Being a parent of autism is not a choice. Having autism is not a choice. Being forced into the school system by the authorities is not a choice. Those that have ‘normal’ children, many times don’t care what their children do. Parents of autism try desperately to relax their children in public, yet there is very little (sometimes none) compassion for the 24/7 job they’re doing. Do YOU know the cause of autism?? It’s NOT genetic people. Give a mother a break. She’s doing all she can. Trust me… I’m a mother that spent an hour in the toilet with my son on a plane, so he couldn’t ‘disrupt’ anyone. And don’t worry… there was another toilet available, so I wasn’t ‘putting everyone out’ too much.

- Donna

Posted 07/11/08 09:09 AM

Goodness, there are some hateful people in this world. It must be nice to be so ‘perfect’, but I will take the meltdowns in public places any day over a society incapable of the smallest degree of tolerance, understanding, and basic compassion for their fellow human beings.

- Zoe

Posted 07/24/08 05:21 AM

Autism brings to mind rocking and screaming. When one educates themselves on the subject they will find there is a spectrum or levels of sypmtoms. Without this disorder we may not have the computer you are using. It is believed that Van Gogh and Einstein had Autism spectrum disorder (Aspergers Syndrome). It is widely believed that Bill Gates has Aspergers. These wonderful people have high IQ’s usually but just can’t communicate or function socially at a “normal” requirement for our society. What would our world be like if these individuals were not allowed to grow to their potential? People - learn to be tolerant and grateful for our differences. Mother of 15 yr old Asperger son.

- Deborah Hamar

Posted 08/05/08 01:23 AM

I am the mother of an autistic child who I love more than life, but I also acknowledge that I live in a world full of people who do not know or understand my child but who have a right to exist also. And for some of the “we must love each other” crowd, you have never seen an autistic child have a real meltdown. Then he is a danger to both himself and to others, and it is your responsibility to protect him. If an autistic child is having a meltdown, then he is saying that he is not comfortable or happy in that environment and wants to leave, so you parents who insist on keeping him in that situation, and having him suffer so that the whole world can “feel your pain” must be crazy. For example, if my child had a tantrum every time he went to a particular church, I would not take him there. I would find a church where he is comfortable or abandon churh altogether. Likewise, if he starts screaming in a movie theatre, then leave, your child does not want to be there, and the other people paid good money to see and hear the movie, not to witness your child’s tantrum. Now I understand that the plane may be a little different, but why is an airline reqired to take a child autistic or otherwise who is having a meltdown. That spells danger not only for the child, but also for the other passengers. My son and I have travelled extensively - I prepare him for the trip and I watch him closely and I bring his favorite toys and I keep him calm. There are times when a child may have a meltdown in spite of your best efforts, and I have actually found that people have been very kind, understanding,and helpful once I explain what is going on. I even had American Airlines employees in Pureto Rico help me to calm my son, and also allowing me to keep him in the longe until the very last second before the doors closed to help him adjust. Also I also try to fly at night and to make suer that my son took his medication before the flight. I feel that as a parent, I have a responsiblity keep my child happy. Anyone who has witnessed an autistic child in

- Marie

Posted 08/08/08 11:33 AM

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