To ask what you think RE 'disability awareness badges'

[BahHumPug]

On the recent theme park thread, some posters suggested that children, or adults, with 'invisible disabilities' - for example, autism, GDD, S&L delay, ADHD etc should be issued with visible badges or passes to alert other theme park users that they may behave erratically or to explain why they are given queue jump privileges. This was suggested to avoid abuse and shouting that these children were being given preferential treatment for no 'obvious' reason.

Other posters compared this to a Nazi-type regime, and others agreed. As someone who works in both a special school and a children's hospice, I am torn. For one, it shouldn't have to come to this - people should not be abusive to those who are different, without the need for a visual prompt to alert them to an issue. But on the other hand, the world will sadly probably never be like this. I know many parents who have children with Autism Awareness badges and bracelets, and it can save a lot of bother and criticism. Personally, I give not a flying fuck if someone wants to stare at me when I'm out with the children I look after - that's their small-minded problem. But I imagine it's different for parents, and I've never experience abuse.

So, thoughts?

I agree with Peachy.

Passes that are hung on a lanyard - a bright blue or red string or rope around the neck - are associated with VIP privileges, security, employees and positive associations. They also clearly signal that the person is being given and is allowed to have a special privilege. They can worn round the neck, carried, or clipped to a pocket.

They look cool.

Lanyards would probably strangle two of mine though.

like Glitterknickaz, dd1 does now wear an ID wristband (from here ), in case she is ever separated from us. We also have velcro straps on her seatbelt in the car, with the same info on (essential info re: dx, language issues etc). If I am on a day out with the girls, then I too wear a medic alert bracelet with details on - to alert (if necessary) that I should have 2 children with me, one of whom has communication difficulties. I cannot trust that dd1 would know to stay put/go with anyone trying to help me in the event of an accident. We have taught dd1 to offer up her ID wristband (again, details of dx, language issues and emergency contact numbers) if she is lost, or if she is asked for it (opens up a whole other can of worms, but as she is not ordinarily alone ever, a dodgy situation shoudl never rise!).

I do agree that marking out our children could be equated with just putting a bullseye target on them, but putting dd1 in a t shirt when she was younger helped me relax a little - it allowed me to feel (and vent, mostly nicely) irritation if eg she was asked questions at security, or in the lounge - when she was wearing a shirt which said "I may not understand you", then I felt I had every right to be annoyed with people who ignored that and expected too much of her. now that she s bigger, with more obvious needs (at times her difficulties are not apparent at all; at other times ti is plainly obvious) I find people are engaging their own filter - the bigger she gets, the further from typical her behaviour can be, and she doesn't need a badge or a t shirt.

I didn't know that some places give priority access for rides to disabled children.

Why is that?

LineRunner: wristbands also equal privilege on occasion. At festivals this summer, we had wristbands to prove we were in the glamping section, and I have had backstage access via wristband too.

I htik that theme parks, for eg, could be a little more imaginative with what they use to denote exit pass access - a "Merlin Parks" rubber wristband, for eg, rather than a luminous yellow paper job - but then that would be too easy to keep hold of and pass on to someone else to use. currently you have to queue up and prove your need each visit (we have our details logged at each park, but you still need to show id on each visit to get the stamp/wristband). same for lanyards - too easy to keep hold of and pass on to your brother/cousin/friend down the road.

Is reading the thread too challenging for you?

Pendeen - there is a big thread in AIBU about it.

Merlin Parks offer an exit pass scheme for those who "have difficulty understanding the concept of queuing". Other places have different criteria.

It means we (and many other families witha member with SN) can mange a day out like any other typical family.

I got cards to hand out from the NAS - I got the in a braver moment but since then lost confidence and havent got the guts to use them.

pagwatch

Was that (rather silly) comment aimed at me or silverfrog?

Actually pendeen I was just coming on to apologise.

There are two threads about this and I have been posting on the thread as well. I was mistaken and had read your comment as being on the other one.

So not silly but totally in error and I do apologise.

However this op does start 'on the recent theme park thread' so for full background you could check that out.

glitter - have you got a link to those cards, they sound like a good idea. DS is a bit of a wanderer

pagwatch

OK thanks. :)

Muggles
I have posted this before but when DS2 was little we gor his own cards printed.
If people were staring at his brother, or being rude, he could give them a card. It was all his own wording and very effective.
A 7 year old giving you a card which included things like "try to remember he is just a little boy trying his best' made a few people back off and think about it.

I like wristbands, too. There's obviously a fair bit of potential to have a solution here.

Silverfrog, what's glamping? Is it painful?

posh camping - the pian bit depends on how posh (or not) . so pre-set up yurts/bell tents with proper beds and linen and stuff. the dds go wild over staying in their very own little wendy house

for muggles and anyone else interested

we all ready have a system called the Blue badge, it allows disabled people to park in disabled bays and parent/child bays and other places.

look at the way people slam that, and judge and get jealous, can you imagine making a child wear a badge will be any better?

2Shoes - I agree with that. I also think that it's a VERY sad day when it comes to threads like this being posted.

If only those who moan about the 'queue jumpers' would just stop and think. Having to wait a few more minutes won't actually kill them will it?!

Don't make our kids 'stand out' for yet more ridicule.

Glitter the sign for the car sounds intersting adn useful too- what does it say?

Pendeedn if you would really like some info on ASD which is one of the conditions that can preclude queuing I am mroe than happy to send you some information.

Peachy - we use these in the car. each one attaches to the seatbelt (like chest protectors on infant seats), and has a pocket with a form in, with all dd1's details on, medical and emergency contact etc.

dh and I wear SOS talisman bracelets (also available on that site) when out with the girls - they contain a bit of paper with all details on again, and they came with a car sticker which we have put in each car, as an early alert that someone in the car has extra needs.

Thank SF, sounds like soemthing we could make use of.

Have actually thought of a badge for DD, or a tshirt, as she often gets people assuming she is just a brat (although how severe autism is not noticeable to some I don't know).

She wouldn't understand though so i don't feel able to put a label on her she can't understand, I see why people do but just can't bring myself to do it, even if it makes life easier.

it improves with age, Fanjo. when dd1 was 4/5 people often thought the same. tbh, there are some very bratty children about , so how are the general public supposed to tell?

now dd1 is bigger, it is mre obvious that there is some form of SN when she flaps about or doesn't answer (or gives an off-the-wall answer ), and so people are more understanding again.

as I said earlier, I used the t shirts as a first line of defence - it meant that if I was busy at airport security finding that bloody pair of nail scissors that always seem to eb in my bag (ie pre-occupied for a moment and not right on top of dd1 and who was about to speak to her) and one of the staff spoke to dd1 about something and got ratty if she didn't answer, I felt absolutely justified in being really narky with them - their problem if they cannot read what is in front of their faces. but again, now she is bigger an older, it si a lot more accepted that she is not NT.

I don't see why people should have to label themselves or their children to avoid the ignorance and prejudice of others. It's also quite naive to think that this would stop abuse when you look at what those with 'obvious' disabilities face on a day to day basis.

I would support a two pronged approach of education and enforcement of existing laws to protect people from abuse. Get children young - from nursery even - to learn about disabilities and when people attack others verbally or physically using disablist language prosecute them. Every time.

Obviously things like the t-shirts/bracelets for children are a different matter.