Responses to Neighbors' cruel discrimination against autistic child are unanimous. Outrage and anger are familiar terms.
However, one parent (Pat B.) of an autistic child suggested that constructing a sign, warning autism in the area is another type of cruelty: " I'm really concerned that the sign the Trussele' will have in their neighborhood will only fuel the harassment for the little fellow... maybe they should reconsider the sign the awful label is cruel enough. It's kind of like having a Beware of Pitbull sign in your from yard... maybe the pit bull is a great family animal with no problems or history of violence, but the neighbors will only capitalize on the inferences and keep the fire burning."
It is a fair question. Should Autism Warning signs be posted in neighborhoods, or should the sign simply read Caution Children? Assigning labels to children is the toughest part of accepting autism. Once a diagnosis is procured, the paper trail ensues and parents do not want that label to preclude progress "After all, the child is autistic, they will not be able to succeed". A self fulfilling prophecy is an albatross.
The counterpoint to that argument, that in the right hands and creative services, autistic children can learn. (This is not about cure. It is about teaching and learning new information.) Assigning a label should protect children with autism.
There is also the consideration regarding self injurious and impulsive behaviors associated with autism. A warning sign in a neighborhood might just save a child's life. Considering the analogy of addressing the safety or hearing impaired children (Deaf Child in Area), drivers proceed with caution. Likewise, Autistic Child in Area signs when utilized appropriately, should protect, not harass.
What do you think?
Comments
What do I think?
I think it`s wrong to use the slang term 'Pit Bull' to bring people to your site.That`s exactly what the Media is doing and that`s exactly what`s fueling the fire.
I agree with JM that the use of "Pit Bull" to compare to an autistic child is shamefull.
However, as a parent of an affected child... I was just pondering these signs a few weeks ago. If I had the money (all of my money goes to treatment for my child) I would love to buy signs for every child in a town. Why, because I believe it would show how their is an autistic child in every neighborhood, perhaps on every block and give a visualization to the extent of the epidemic affecting our families.
I'm not in favour of signs in neighbourhoods...I've got autistic triplets, and I can't see how a sign in our neighbourhood would have done anything except stigmatize them. I hardly let my kids run around the street unattended before they were perfectly able to act appropriately and know road safety (any more than a parent with a toddler would), so I really can't see how it could help anything. Just because my kids are autistic doesn't mean that strangers (especially drivers) need to watch out for them more closely than they would if they were driving through any other residential neighbourhood.
Of course, I suppose it would make some people happy if I made them wear big puzzle piece badges on their shirts when we went anywhere in case they had a meltdown or something like that as well, just in case.
We have a sign on our block that say, "Caution Handicapped Child" for the protection our our son, who has low functioning autism. I don't feel it's brings any kind of stigmatism to himself and it's for his safety nothing else. Unfortunately, despite the sign, most drivers ignore it and speed right on by our house.
You're right, a sign can make the difference in the safety of the child. I am deaf and know of instances where a deaf person was almost shot because the police didn't know the person couldn't hear their command to stop. I have seen signs about handicapped children and I do make the effort to make sure I drive even more safely in that neighborhood. It think it is a good idea myself.
And for JM, so what that she used "pit bull", their record speaks for itself. Maulings on a daily basis and killing people on average in this country of one every 21 days. I would want a sign warning me of these dangerous dogs.
I do see your point. I also see what they are hoping to accomplish if the kid is going to be riding up and down the street.
Also, is it just me or this kid seems to be super functional. Talking, riding bike down the street, and actually returning to the house, etc.
FJH
autismretort.blogspot.com
Robin didn't compare kids with autism to pit bulls! She was making an analogy, suggesting that a sign might make casual passers-by expect trouble when it is very unlikely to occur.
Personally, I'm not sure why you'd need an "autistic child" sign unless you were planning to let your child play unattended outside. Since few of us do this, the sign seems extraneous to me.
Autism isn't like deafness: deaf people may be outside alone for a million reasons and not hear the car coming. But autistic people who aren't able to understand that moving cars are dangerous should be outside alone at all.
Lisa
I'm sure Lisa's comment at the end was meant to be "shouldn't" be left alone.
My 10 year old son has high-functioning Asperger's. My youngest has PDD-NOS, more severely impacted by his autism. I let both play in my yard unattended-except I'm watching through the window- A LOT. Based on what I saw through the video, that boy and my youngest are about the same as far as being verbal, more aware of surroundings, etc. My youngest doesn't leave the backyard. We live in the country- I don't need the sign.
However... there is a family in this town who can't seem to keep their autistic son in the yard, no matter how closely they're watching him! He's Houdini! He doesn't stay near his house at all, but travels for miles on his bike. I don't see a sign helping them with that either.
I think the PIT BULL sign was a good analogy.
However, i'd leave it up to the parents if they want/need that type of sign.
As a mother of a child battling autism I think this is cruel and serves no purpose except to point out that this child is different. If an autistic child has impulsive and aggressive issues, and/or the inability to speak, there is no situation arising that a parent, guardian, or child's aid would not be right at their side. My son is a "runner" and I can tell you there is not a second in the day that I am not within arms length, or have appropriately set the stage for a possible running. This is just unfair and gives people the false sense of security to "let go" because the sign will not protect them.
I'm the parent of a severally autistic, non verbal, still in diapers 10 year old son. I think the sign is great. As far as I know, it's probably meant for safety????? Parents have to get off the "my child won't be labeled" bandwagon and face reality. Quit pretending that "my child is just as good as your child" and do everything you can to keep them safe and loved. That's why my wife and I have never attended a "support group". Just how productive is a group of people feeling sorry for themselves and complaining.
Love your child, and who cares about whatever other people think.
John Mc, I agree with you. I don't think it stimatizes but rather lends toward the safety factor. In fact, I look at a neighborhood in a better light if I see these signs, it shows they care. And it can also offer an opportunity to explain to other children about handicaps when they ask about the sign. I can't understand those who can't see this for what it is, a safety factor.
John Mc touches my heart. Safety is first. Years ago, my non verbal 3 year old raced up the driveway, almost to the street (a state road) and I tackled him right before he hit the road. My body covered his in a cocoon, I was shaking and crying and felt his pulse united with mine. It was a moment of reality that I care not to revisit. A street sign would not have helped him, as the speed limit is 40 mph.
However, warning signs are meant to do just that. WARN! Helping our children is first and foremost!
I'm truly sorry I tried to suggest the possibility that there are some people who would misunderstand a simple sign making a mountain out of a mole hill, which might in turn cause any child with autism to suffer further abuse from others inferences. As it has been pointed out in previous remarks the use of a Pit Bull and Autism was wrong or shameful... thank you for making my point about the sign clearer, I never made a parallel between the name of a dog breed (not a slang word) and Autism there are none. I merely pointed out that some people ignorant of the facts regarding autism (or dog breeds) don’t care about a sign and will only fuel the gossip and harassment this child will face some day as an adult with the label. The label doesn't belong to the parent, but we do wear it on our sleeves sometimes. How can you ignore what people think about your child and expect the child to have any kind of future when you’re gone? Now is the time to teach tolerance signs can be societal branding
Robin please take me off your email list. This blog is starting to sound to much like a support group, I happen to agree with John there... all whining accomplished was more whining and after seven years fighting for my son to be treated like a humanbeing, I've lost the desire to hear that our children aren't deserving of equality. Maybe my sons in a subgroup of children that are considered normal by their peers now, but the last seven years of research and quality time with my child has paid off. He was in diapers when his mother took off because she felt he was too different to fit into her circle of friends, so I quit my job and raised my two sons starting at age 3 and 4 alone. I've even had the privilege of speaking before the House subcommittee on children and youth in my state regarding abuse and tolerance. Today after years of teaching others to be more tolerant and loving my son now has a circle of friendship that extends to our governor. He quit wearing diapers because of love
Maybe the sign could say something else instead of just autism...after all there are other disabilities that could make a child
"appear" typical developing....but, the child may lack "tools" needed to keep themselves out of harms way/interprut others..
It might help motorists if they say...see someone crosing when they shouldn't and the motorist tells them they are not safe ect.. or see a child who apperas lost/not where they should be/acting "strange"...
I am for safety too...but with some consideration too, please. It is not like they are staking the sign out ONLY on the LAWNS of each family with a "differently abled" child.
Sometimes awareness is a good thing.
sherri
We are passionate for our children. Parents agree that the Trussle case is horrific, it is unanimous.
However, commenting on Examiner is a public domain, consequently there will be disagreements. My role as columnist is to relay the news related to autism; my personal experience is always stated with that caveat.
I think the sign is a great idea! My daugther has Autism and she is also a "runner" She is also very FAST! She rides the school bus and I think it would be a great idea to have a sign for safety! When I am in a store with my daugther and I get "looks" because of break downs and im constantly watching her and always on her tail because I know that she could run at any moment with no thought of safety. I do believe its a good tool to have not only to let people know to slow down and be on the look out just in case, but also because if your child gets out and is wandering someone might see the sign and put two and two together. The way I see it is our kids ARE different, and they will get looks and get labled in one way or another, BUT I would much rather someone know there is a danger ,,because my biggest fear isnt that someone will think my child is different because she IS (in a beautiful way I might add) but my biggest fear is that something might go wrong in that 2 mins that it makes me to use the bathroom at home and so on. I dont see the problem with one extra safety tool, bring them on, some of us need all the help we can get!
in my case,haveing 2 of those signs would help,because i live on the edge of a town road,even tho we are in town just a half a block away from where you can start driveing 50 miles an hour from the posted 20 mile an hour in town city limits,my son can and has darted out into the road,and cars drive way to fast to stop in time,luckly we have been able to catch him,so far.i dont care about stigma,i care about my son who hasnt the verbal skills to comunicate,and who dont understand that roads are not a place to play.and haveing the warning signs in our area,would make drivers aware that there is a child who has autism in the area,and slow down.
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