Crying over French attitude to my autistic son

[Luckyloubytwo]

We are in France at the moment and having a mostly wonderful time. DS 9 has asd but is usually fairly easy going, quiet, and you wouldn't notice he was different to other children.

However, yesterday and today he has had a huge meltdown in public. When this happens in the UK it is difficult but people generally are understanding and mimd their own business. However, here it seems to bring the whole town to a standstill. People will just stop in their tracks and stare. Today we were in a busy area and it seemed to bring everyone to a halt. We all got very upset back at the car and I just can't stop crying.

I am just feeling so upset at the attitude of the French people towards our son.

Some posters have identified reported evidence that it is backward in its attitude and treatment of people with autism and adds. So it's not such a stretch.

All cultures have their plusses and minuses.

Blanket statements (which “backwards culture” very much is) don’t make anyone using them sound clever. If the target is more specific, be more specific.

And I’m sure the same don’t need to be told how the continent has perceived the uk for the last 6 years.

Just type France Autism into your search bar. Anyone who cares about France and all its people would be concerned.

True. I think some on here like to post re how U.K. has faults but a blind spot when it comes to other countries.

@Wildflowercottage the suggestion of not visiting is a genuine one, as it genuinely sounds like you really don't like it. If I'm wrong and you'd like some recommendations then feel free to let me know, I have plenty :) thank you but I’ve been travelling through France for decades and have friends who I could easily ask if I genuinely wanted recommendations. I doubt I could convey to you what my minimum requirements were. I genuinely don’t like a psychological model of autism, the clinging to refrigerator Mother type ideas, the idea that those who can’t conform should be kept away and out of sight. I have a fairly unremarkable rule that those who are unkind to my children or people like my child won’t receive my custom. However I highly recommend Spain and I have a friend with two autistic children who also drives through France to Italy which she says is kinder.

@5zeds Different strokes for different folks, we all have different needs and aren't necessarily always aware of how some facilities affect others. France needs to improve and it is improving, but it's not an evil nightmare here for anyone with any kind of difference, is basically all I was trying to say.

Now for Spain, I will allow myself a recommendation as I'm dying to go there, everyone I know who has, have said it's wonderful - Cadaquès!

Well my NT brothers both did that when they were teens - that kind of behaviour isn’t exclusive to children with autism.

it's not an evil nightmare here for anyone with any kind of difference, is basically all I was trying to say. yes but is that accurate for your most vulnerable autistics?
These people wouldn’t agree and how do we judge what is true?
www.inclusion-europe.eu/undue-placement-of-children-with-autism-in-france/

This is very bad advice. SOME French people would report you to the police for giving the finger, and SOME police will actually insist you come to the station to discuss the matter!

LOL at France having a backwards culture.

I am English but have lived and worked in France.

In comparison to England, you are saying they have a backwards culture?
Too funny.

Spain?

Backwards culture.

perhaps you should have lived my experience.

Perhaps you should have lived the experience of people in this thread, then you wouldn't be so ignorant and callous.

ignorant and callous for saying France is not a cultural backwater?

OK.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow , De Gaulle actually built or bought a very secluded house where his Down’s daughter could be safely kept away from disapproving or staring eyes.

Whole generation of Downs kept apart from sociery in Spain. Abortion was illegal and mostly the last DC to be born to older mothers. Catholic beliefs regarding contraception.

See it most in Madrid.

What an appalling way to treat people.

💐 Thank you for understanding 💐

You are writing off an entire European country’s culture as “backward.” That’s pretty much the definition of ignorance.

Would it be a fair bet to say you only speak one language, don’t have a very good degree, and have never lived anywhere outside the UK?

You are coming across that way.

You are writing off an entire European country’s culture as “backward.” That’s pretty much the definition of ignorance.
i”It really isn’t.

Would it be a fair bet to say you only speak one language, don’t have a very good degree, and have never lived anywhere outside the UK?
What an entitled prat you sound judging people on their degrees and how much they have travelled. Shame on you.

"Over there", my my!