Facing up to it

[quirrelquarrel]

If your (ASD) kid was bullied at school and wanted to stay well away from the area after they left, would you force them to go back? To "get back on the horse". If lots of people lived round the school and they were scared of running into them? I.e. if there were two options: to take a longer way and avoid the area or just to go straight through it.

Personal enquiry, no bitterness because it's been sorted out (compromise!), just curious.

[Scathac]

I am no expert here, but put yourself in your child's shoes. Which would you prefer? I know I would rather go the long way round and feel safe and confident than go through the anxiety of potentially running into people I didn't want to. Give the child time to heal and to regain confidence.

[quirrelquarrel]

No, I am the child :)

I understand why they want me to do it- going by the premise that you cure people of phobias by making them confront fears, that kind of thing, so it should work in these sorts of situations. But I still don't want to! Especially since it would just be for "healing" purposes, it's suburbs, I don't have to go there ever again otherwise. Oh well. Basically I was just wondering if people would see it as cossetting/soft to let their kids avoid the issue.

[Putthatbookdown]

Bullying is a terrible thing often with tragic consequences.Studies have revealed that what matters is the impact it has on the victim.Therefore this decision must be based on the impact it had on the child

[ontherainbow]

I don't think making someone do something they're REALLY not comfortable doing is ever worthwhile. And even I do not like going through areas where CHIlDREN, who bullied my son are! It brings back bad memories and feelings that I'd rather forget and being on the spectrum, as my son is also, I feel that certain therapies (ie facing your fears) don't always work (they did with his crisp phobia!). ASD peeps tend to replay events and generally don't come to any conclusion (that helps recovery) which is why counselling is often pointless. If travelling through areas makes you really distressed then don't do it. On the other hand if it makes you feel slightly better (as in you feel less and less scared every time you do it) then give it a go.

I know this is totally on different scale but who would think it was a good idea for holocaust survivors to visit Auchwist?

Ps. If you DID do it, give yourself a clap and a hug from me!