Is this funny? Or is it just offensive?

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

A friend of mine (who knows my ds1 has ASD and I almost certainly have it too) told me at the weekend about a funny T-shirt he had seen

"Autistic Children Rock"

is that funny, to you? Or would you be offended?

I think you are right madam hadnt looked at it like that, definatly cashing in.

What an arse. Cut them out. And before you do, have T Shirt printed which says

Insecure People Mock the Afflicted

And present that to them....ont he back you could have

Kick me. I'm a Wanker

for me it would all depend on who was selling the t-shirts.

if it is a 'funny' t-hirt company then i would find it offensive as their MO is to poke fun.

if it was an autism awareness charity/group then i wouldn't find it offensive, i would see what they had done.

My (AS) DS saw and wanted one that said 'If you're Aspie and you know it flap your hands'.

I didn't buy it.

Yes I think it's a positive message and mildly humorous

It raises awareness of typical autistic behaviour and also points out that autistic children can also be cool, quirky and inspirational.

Sorry, I only see it as positive.

I totally understand why others would find it offensive though. My friends son has downs syndrome and had a t shirt with the blue Peter ballet dancers on it with the tag line "we can even bloody ballet dance". He is a very cool kid.

Agree - if a child, parent or carer of a child with autism were to wear it (or a charity group raising awareness) then I would support it.

Average twat getting pissed on a Friday thinking it's funny without understanding it, then no.

Also take the point about t shirt manufacturers making cash from it, would support a charity selling them with the charity logo on.

I didn't realise the double meaning at first either, but I wouldn't buy it or wear it as I would have thought it was something meant to be an in-joke for autistic people or their relatives as a way of raising awareness or money. If it's worn by someone else then I can see it would offend.

lancelottie, I would have bought it for my son if he understood it properly and wanted to wear it with pride

you cant protect them from it

he wanted to turn it cool

Took me a few moments to get the double meaning, but at first glance I thought it seemed ok
Maybe your friend hasn't cottoned on yet? DId you put them straight?

Of course, its a sweeping generalisation of a spectrum disorder that encompasses an broad range of behaviours. But....I think its nice to say 'they rock' and whatever the pun is, its not a negative comment. In my former life (pre-mat leave) I worked with people with Autism and compliments are generally well received.

I work with Autistic children and didn't get the double meaning at first.

I don't find it funny but not offensive neither (not sure why I don't).

In fact many of the autistic pupils I work with are great personalities - and rock in the sense they are cool.