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Original poster

Had to share this with MN...ignorant but strangely funny view about Autism

14 replies

mumfor1standfinaltime · 03/03/2006 18:33

I have to share this with Mumsnetters...my neighbour popped over today for a chat, she is in her 60s and she was gossiping about the young girl who lives next door to her.
She is only around 24 and has 2 boys. One of them has autism.

My neighbour said 'apparantly he cant talk' and 'Im sure doctors can do so much about this these days' and then I had to bite my tongue and try not to snigger at her ignorance when she said 'The doctor could fit a new voice box surely?'

I had to turn my head away to try not to laugh at how little she knew!

OP posts:
Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 03/03/2006 18:43

Obviously nobody wants me to share this story then!!
Bit boring really Grin

OP posts:
Bugsy2 · 03/03/2006 18:44

I can't believe you didn't tell her that they grow new voice boxes on Calling Trees in South Africa!!! Wink

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 03/03/2006 18:50

I really had to try hard not to laugh. She really had no idea!
Obviously voice boxes do grow on trees! After all 'doctors can do so much these days', including growing trees with spare parts!

OP posts:
Pinotmum · 03/03/2006 19:05

Didn't you explain that he was autistic. If no-one tells her anything she will remain ignorant won't she. She obviously was trying to be helpful wasn;t she, not making fun of him. If she has never come across autism why should she know anything about it?

Socci · 03/03/2006 19:08

I think autism is a very misunderstood condition generally. I knew nothing about it before we discovered dd had it.

getbakainyourjimjams · 03/03/2006 19:10

At least she didn't ask what his sodding "special skill" was.

misdee · 03/03/2006 19:10

please tell me where these trees are that grow spare parts.........

batters · 03/03/2006 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JanH · 03/03/2006 19:44

would this be a good moment to link to \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1373&threadid=151180&stamp=060301204938\this thread?}

Whizzz · 03/03/2006 19:46

I went into a class today as a volunteer helper & there was a boy with Aspergers - I know nothing about it yet (but intend to find out). Was amazed at how he functioned in the class

Original poster
mumfor1standfinaltime · 03/03/2006 19:49

I didnt start this thread to offend anyone, sorry if I have.
I think it is her age generation and possibly not ignorance, and yes its true that if she has never come across it then she wouldnt know about it.
I do not have a great knowledge of autism, like many others I have only been learning about it since being on Mumsnet.

OP posts:
Davros · 03/03/2006 19:54

"fit a new voice box"?? that is a bit far out isn't it? I remember my MIL once hissing behind the back of her hand about DS to someone "he's a little autistic today". It was sweet and silly and just made me laugh. I did not try to educate her, I'd already tried hard enough Grin

cyan · 03/03/2006 19:58

Whizzz, read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night time, prob got the whole title wrong am sure I'll be corrected though! It's narrative is based upon a boy with Aspergers x

Whizzz · 06/03/2006 18:33

Yes one of my friends has said she'll lend me that one Smile

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