DS 6years(ASD)and I had been to town, went in on train and he decided he wanted to come home on the bus. He had a lolly and was sat looking out of the window.
Half way through the journey the lady behind said "it's amazing what a lolly can do" so I laughed and agreed. She then said, "Is 'she' autistic?"
I said "yes,actually HE is".
"Oh I knew it from the minute he got on," was her smug reply.
Then she started talking, oh I so wish she'd sat and kept herself to herself.
She told me she knew alot about autism and "retardation," as her mum had been a sectretary to a paediatrician!!!!!!! She also knew a neighbours child when she was little who was "retarded" but would now be classed as autistic, that was back in the 60's. she went on to say how the girls' behaviours used to really scare her.
By now I was in a bit of shock that she was being so insensitive. She was commenting on DS's hair-quite long and blonde, and trying to talk to him. He wasn't looking at her, so she said "Can I touch him?" meaning a tap on the shoulder. I said no. She said "oh doesn't he like being touched, most don't"
I said no, just say his name. By now I was hoping her stop was coming up and that she would just fuck off.
Oh no, she went on about his hair, so I said he liked it long and hair cutting can be quite stressful, but he's got much better when it needs tidying up. I started to explain about some of his sensory issues,
"Oh, there was no need to tell me about that, when you said sensory I knew all about it. I know he would react differently to normal children if I lit a match next to him." What the actual fuck!!!!!!!
Anyway, more odd/twatty/insulting comments- "Oh he's so beautiful, at least he's got that going for him." "He gae me eye contact" i said yes, he's ok with that, " He can't be,autistics don't give eye contact"
Then thank goodness her stop came and her parting words to me- "Keep up the good work with him, well you have to, you have no choice"
I think at the time I was just trying to re-educate her on her stupidness, but after I wish I'd removed myself from her and told her to piss off.
We got to our destination, went supermarket shopping, came home, I phoned my Dad to tell him what happened. I burst into tears reliving and saying out loud her awful comments, I got angry with her and also with myself for not telling her to shut up.
Anyhow, over it now(theraputic typing) but just wish she realised how upset she made me today. and breathe.x
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Ignorant, insensitive bitch!
22 replies
RinkyDinkyDoo · 11/04/2013 15:09
OP posts:
zzzzz ·
11/04/2013 15:42
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