Aspies For Freedom

Evan is 9 years old and was diagnosed ASD at the age of 2 1/2.  since then he has attended numerous meetings and been present at doctors consultaions where his autism was discussed.  He is full aware he is autistic, sometimes he forgets the term Aspergers, but he is proud to be autistic and frequently tells me so.

Evan had run off in a fit of tears, by the time I reached the woman at the show.  But Yes, I would have said it in front of Evan.  I had sat through 2 hours of the chuckle brothers, getting soaked with water, got covered in rice and had a large Indiana Jones type ball bouced off my head.  Evan got scared at the part where they can on in black costumes and had luminous fish dancing on stageand had a crying fit.  Together with my NT daughter being a little madam to her brother, needless to say I was pretty stressed.  I had just had enough. I am not excusing my words but what right did she think she had?  I am sick and tired of other people correcting and telling my children off in public.  Who do these people think they are? Evan was doing nothing that the others weren't except for a little incident with the plastic bottle.  He didn't realise that if somebody had stepped on it they could have hurt themselves, thats part of being autistic isn't it?  Evan was later told when he had calmed down after a meltdown that what he did was not safe.  He does understand whenthings are explained rationally and carefully to him.  He does get corrected and told when he does things wrong.to him he just thought the bottle looked better on its side with "the red juice sploshing around" - his words.

Lili Marlene said

She is quite right.  The incident was incredibly trivial.

But the woman had NO RIGHT to chastise my child for his behaviour I didn't get to him fast enough to stop him.  Evan frequently picks up other people's trash and puts in the bin, I did not know when I saw him pick up a juice bottle what he was going to do with it.  He WAS told after his meltdown about the safety issues involved and he understood.  My children are very much disciplined and are expected to conform to certain guidlines.  Where 20 - 30 children are running around up and down stairs playing tag with thier friends (because thats what they were doing)  why should I stop them? They were supposed to be waiting in line to see the Chuckle Brothers who were getting changed after thier show.  My two like all the others were bored with waiting.  This woman treated me like I was some irresponsible person that let my child run roit.  She was very demeaning and insulting in her tone and attitude.  If you don't know if a child is just a little sod or has problems then you don't judge.  

He who is without sin may cast the first stone.

I personally have certain "mental health problems"  I suffer from severe depression, I admit that  I take valuim.  I have an aspie son who has along with his 7 year old sister and my husband has Ankylosing Spondylitits.  Does THAT make me a bad parent?  :-(  Do I deserve to have my children taken into care?  My whole life revolves around them and thier father.  I am a full time carer/nurse and teacher to them. I have never had a day off in 10 years and don't expect one any time soon. I wouldn't know what to do.  My days are full with thier care and Evans schooling.  dont tell me that I am a bad parent because I'm not.

Haven't heard of her though. As somebody who had postnatal depression after both my children, I can certainly vouch for it being genuine. Fortunately, it never progressed to the psychotic stage but when it does, there are tragic outcomes eg. the Andrea Yates case.

I read that she was advised not to have any more children after her fourth because she wasn't coping but she and her husband then had another child, hoping for the best but it got infinitely worse instead.

She was taken off drug treatment when she shouldn't have been and I suspect postnatal depression is STILL not taken as seriously as it should be. It's better to err on the side of caution if it will save even ONE more tragedy like the Yates children drownings.