Friday 26 April 2013

Kevin Healey's Global Autism Anti-Bullying Campaign




As the mother of a son with autism, I worry about how he is perceived and how he will be treated in the future.  He's nearly seven and reaching that age when the things he does can no longer be excused and put down to his youth.   This morning, for example, he was scooting to school and he decided to aim straight at a man coming towards us in the playground.  Despite the fact that there was plenty of room to steer round the gentleman, T did not stop, swerve or slow down - he was determined to stay on course.  The man was forced to stop and skip swiftly to one side as he realised that this small boy was going to win the game of playground chicken.  I apologised and called T back.  Yet again, we had to have the conversation about giving people space, respecting grown ups, not expecting people to move for you.  I threatened him with not being allowed to scoot if he did it again.  I asked him why he insisted on scooting right at that man, why he didn't go round him when there was loads of room.  His answer: "I forgot that rule".  

There are only so many times I can apologise for the things he says or does unthinkingly
He probably did forget.  He was probably so in the moment that all he could think about was heading straight to his destination.  He probably assumed that as he is the most important person in the world, the man would know that he should move out of T's way.  I know this is due to his autism but nobody else would know, just by looking at him.  It's this sort of thing that can get you into trouble.  It was only a minor incident, but were he a few years older, perhaps the man would have been annoyed or said something.  As he gets older, there are only so many times I can apologise for the things he says and does unthinkingly, or in a moment of anxiety or frustration.

His innocence and literal thinking could make him an easy target 
In a few short years he will be moving up to secondary school and will find himself among children who don't know him from his primary school.  His innocence and literal thinking could make him an easy target for bullying and getting him into trouble.  His frustration and inability to understand, socialise easily or keep up with lessons could lead to a short temper and a tendency to lash out, never mind the additional stress and effects of the dreaded teenage hormones.

I won't be there to speak up for him, to explain what he's feeling or what he really means.  I won't be able to interpet the world for him or warn people that something is going on outside of school that may affect his behaviour.

Trolls in your Home 
In this world of social media, the bullying can even intrude into your home life.  What about when he has a mobile phone, when he goes online onto chat rooms or websites?  We're all aware of trolls and the cruel things they can say.  I don't want him to face a barrage of spiteful comments in his own home.

What Can I Do?
There is so little I will be able to do as he grows up.  There is one thing I can do now - I can spread awareness of the dreadful bullying that exists in the lives of vulnerable people, including those with autism.  I can ask you to watch the video and consider joining the campaign.   Kevin Healey will explain it far better than I can.  Together, we can work towards changing the law to protect our special children.

For some strange reason I can't find it on the Youtube search using this blog and I can't upload the video from my computer but you can find links to the video below:



Both links are safe; I have viewed them and Norton did not show up any problems.

Thank you.

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For another perspective on parenting a child with autism, please take a look at the work of JM Worgan on http://glipho.com/jmworgan   She has a lovely way with words!



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