adults with learning difficulties on small childrens' play area.

[Bethshine82]

Took DS to the play area on Friday, it is not a huge play area and has one of those signs saying it is designed for use by children 14 and under.
Whilst we were there a group of around eight adults with learning difficulties and their carers arrived. The adults proceeded to go onto the playground.
AIBU to think this isn't very fair? They were adults and they weren't really aware of their strength and size. The carers weren't supervising brilliantly and twice I saw one of the adults just shove the children out of the way. Also some of the adults were shouting and screaming which frightened some of the toddlers. Many of the children left. I'm not in any way suggesting that adults with learning difficulties shouldn't be able to go out and enjoy themselves or that they shouldn't be part of the community, I'm just not sure a small childrens' play area is the place for an adults' afternoon out.

I think that the playground should only be used by children, it isn't safe otherwise really. AIBU?

I haven't read the entire thread so I apologise if this is entirely irrelevant but I often take my SLD/ ASD class to the park. They are all under 10 so the park is an appropriate place for them (I think) but they are big and have little awareness of their size, strength or surroundings. When parents of toddlers see us coming, several of them will gather up their things and leave, or move their DC to the other side of the park. I always think it's a bit sad.

Likewise, when people stare or tut when we go to the library to look at the books. Or even walk to the shop. I'm amazed and the number of people who blatantly stare or make unpleasant comments.

Well to be honest it isn't rocket science to work out that ds1 has ld's. He can't talk for starters. I do not see it as my job to provide an education to those around him when we're just out and about minding our own business in a learning disabled way (ime people won't be educated anyway - they either get it or they don't).

I think yours is the crasser of the statements....therefore it is only right that the majority of the give comes from the group perpetrating the intolerance...i'm sure yours is a massive overstatement especially as you consider it happens every single day...i'm advocating a bit of responsbility by those who know that the person in their care is capable of lashing out. I think your twisting words and seeing intolerance were there isn't.

I genuinely sympathise with people who care for individuals with SN's or disabilities and imagine that it is very tough emotionally and physically as we all want what's best for our children but I've also the right to ensure protection for my children and to keep them out of harm's as we all have to live in this society together

Lovely post, silverfrog.

I think YABU OP.

It entirely depends on the "mentality" of the adult and not just because they are a adult. I have a neighbour whose son is 24, but has the mental age of a 7 year old, what 7 year old doesn't like play parks. Yes he may be adult size, but he is not bigger to that of a average 14 year old teen.

The carers should have been more vigilant, but then again parents could be more vigilant with their children in play areas also.

oh do fuck off. sorry but do you know how many times we have to put up with shit?
yet on mn people who haven't got a clue want us to educate them, hey guess what we are too busy being with out child to educate the ignorant.
it is not our job to educate people who have no compassion for people who they think are different.

The amount of aggression on here is horrible.

I f you dont think it's your job to educate or inform us bigots then how do you see things radically changing

casually tell us your charge may be violent and then expect us to not too be afraid or worry about that person, is that the way to go... does that foster understanding or empathy

It's a two way street...and were not talking about children with SN's being around other children were talking about grown individuals with SN's occupying space with children and people not being responsible when this situation occurs because a grown man of 30 hitting a child isn't the same as a 3yr old hitting another 3 yr old and if you think that it is then your world view is warped

bakingaddict - you can ensure protection for yuor children by being close to them (in a situation such as the park one) and ready to intervene if necessary.
you can protect your children by explaining things to them, and helping them to understand why some behaviours might happen.

banning people with LDs isn't the answer. tolerating slightly different scenarios, working out how and why things happen, and everyone doing their best to ensure it doesn't happen, is the way forward.

there is no way I would leave a park because a group of people with LDs enterd (children, teens, or adults). I would however, modify my behaviour to do my best to 'protect my children' - I would not do my usual sit on the bench and ignore the world while my children amuse themselves. I would also expect (at this point in their lives; when younger I woudl have tried to teach this behaviour) my children to modify their behaviour, to an extent, to accommodate others who may not be able to do so. because my dc can understand these things, and are able to wait/do somethign else for a bit/whatever.

you need to be taught empathy?

I would not feel it approriate to "forewarn" people of something that "might " happen ....but if someone appears frightened by the actions / sounds of the person I am with It can be appropriate for reassurance / limited explanation so that people who have not encountered SN / LD can learn and not be frightened. Often its not intolerance its uncertainty.

Yes there is sometimes s out there... from obvious staring to for example a man telling me that the child I was with should be f locked up and she looked F deformed. Her sin ...... she grabbed at his poke of chips !!!!

BUt yes....... lovely people too !

I have no evidence but I would imagine the incidents of adults with LD hitting children are very small...

I would imagine the risk here, if we're talking about risk, is to vulnerable people with LD being mis-treated by people who take advantage of them.

The children have parents who are protecting them. (Though from what I'm not sure!)

This thread is chasing it's own tail and is fueled by anger and indignation.

penguinsoup Have you a DC with SN I doubt it or else you would see why there is so much anger. People with SN are very rarely violent, I am far more at ease with SN than some NT kids in packs

No 2old. I have a sibling with SN resulting from an accident. I'm not angry. I get sad at people's attitudes and ignorance of course.

well I used to get sad
I used to get hurt
I now get angry because as this thread proves nothing changes.

TheSecondComing

Well that's not nice for you 2Shoes. I can't waste my energy being angry because you can't reason with ignorance. It's everywhere and like fighting a losing battle.

The Second Coming I could not agree with our more

Well said TSC!

Tsc you are right. I was wrong. Apologies.