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October 2014 Moms
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Rant about someone's ignorance re: Autism

shannonshareshannonshare member
edited May 2014 in October 2014 Moms
So I know someone who is very active on Facebook and often posts her thoughts/experiences that are not always very sensitive.

She just posted about a "creepy" experience she had with a man who she assumes had Asperger's Syndrome (which is a mild disorder on the Autism Spectrum).  I commented that it made me a little sad that she seemed to equate "creepy" with Asperger's Syndrome.  She PM'ed me saying that she took down her post because she realized it could have come off wrong.  I then told her that I am more sensitive to comments like that because I have worked with many students who have different disorders or disabilities.  I also mentioned that people certainly have creepy incidents, but it was just off-putting how she seemed to link the syndrome with creepy and that people can be creepy just for the sake of being creepy.

She replied that I would have agreed with her that the guy was creepy and that she doesn't take back what she said.  But THEN she decided to keep going and said that she doesn't feel comfortable with and doesn't like to be around people with autism.  She likened it to how "some people" don't like to be around people with HIV/AIDS.  That made me so sad.  

I told her that I hope for her sake that when she has children, they don't have Autism or God will be teaching her a very strong lesson in tolerance and adaptation.  Maybe that was a little harsh of me, but I'd hate for someone to harbor ill will against my future baby because of a disorder that he/she couldn't control!  Grrr.
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Re: Rant about someone's ignorance re: Autism

  • teresaideteresaide member
    Kudos to you, lady. Some people just don't get it.
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  • Jellybean813Jellybean813 member
    @shannonshare said: "She likened it to how "some people" don't like to be around people with HIV/AIDS.  That made me so sad."  

    Ummm. What??? 

    That's horrible and makes me incredibly sad. Glad you stood up for how you feel, and in my opinion, for what's right. That sounds like a lot of ignorance talking on her part. 
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  • Emerald27Emerald27 member
    edited May 2014
    Wow. I would have been speechless. I think you said exactly the right thing. She might be butthurt for now, but I bet you gave her something to think about, and when she does encounter someone with a disability like Autism, I bet (/hope) your words will come to her mind.

    ETA: Whats the thing about being around people with HIV/AIDS? I've never heard of some people not wanting to be around anyone with the virus...is it something about a fear of getting it from them? I ask from pure ignorance here.
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  • AppleGrapeMSTKAppleGrapeMSTK member
    I have no words. Good on you.
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  • imagine7696030614imagine7696030614 member
    As a mom of a son with very high functioning Asperger's I want to thank you for speaking up. I've seen people many, many times side eye him over his sometime social awkwardness and/or quirks. Always breaks my heart because I just wish more people would have patience to take the time to get to know him to see what a sweet, intelligent, and funny person he is. Always goes to show that you really never know what is going on with someone so we really shouldn't judge and jump to conclusions.
    BabyFetus Ticker} Mom to 3 with one on the way. EDD 10/04/14
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  • shannonshareshannonshare member
    Emerald27 said:
    Wow. I would have been speechless. I think you said exactly the right thing. She might be butthurt for now, but I bet you gave her something to think about, and when she does encounter someone with a disability like Autism, I bet (/hope) your words will come to her mind. ETA: Whats the thing about being around people with HIV/AIDS? I've never heard of some people not wanting to be around anyone with the virus...is it something about a fear of getting it from them? I ask from pure ignorance here.
    I have NO idea!  That certainly doesn't seem like something that people in this day and age would think, at least...maybe back in the 1980s when not much was known about HIV/AIDS...who knows.  :-/
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  • shannonshareshannonshare member
    imagine7696030614 said:
    As a mom of a son with very high functioning Asperger's I want to thank you for speaking up. I've seen people many, many times side eye him over his sometime social awkwardness and/or quirks. Always breaks my heart because I just wish more people would have patience to take the time to get to know him to see what a sweet, intelligent, and funny person he is. Always goes to show that you really never know what is going on with someone so we really shouldn't judge and jump to conclusions.
    I am crying at my desk regarding what you have experienced.  It makes me so upset that people don't take that extra two minutes to give others a chance and understand their situation, rather than just make bigoted assumptions.  I hope that you and your family are able to stay strong and positive, despite what some ignorant people may say/do.
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  • Jennifer18131Jennifer18131 member
    I was willing to give kudos to her in the first paragraph for realizing her insensitive statements hurt people. But then the second and third paragraphs. WTF. Kudos to YOU, OP. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    ::two chest pumps and a peace sign for Jenn:: ~ MrsJudgeyPants 

    This is legal advice. Circa 2011 image
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