Well another story on autism has hit the wires again. This time about a child with autism who was thrown off the plane because the pilot deemed the child "unsafe and uncomfortable."
I cleaned up the title because they used the term "autistic child." I guess I kind of cringe when people say that, especially the media.
I wonder if the story was about a child with cancer, bipolar or ADHD would the media say "cancer child" or "bipolar boy" or "ADHD child." I don’t think so.
Here is the video of the story:
http://www.autism-pdd.net/story1
As always you can comment below.
I feel for this mom and others involved in similar incidents.
But, in this particular one, I can see how they would have kicked the child and parent off the plane.
The mom should have informed the airlines ahead of time that her son had ? and they need to back off and sometimes he will have fits.
The flight attendant sounded like a jerk though.
I have an autistic child and would never put her on a plane..
It would be too catastrophic and she would never like the fact that she needs to sit down and stay seated for a LONG time.
Plus, she gets really nervous in small, confined spaces.
While this story really stinks for the child and his family, for those that are not experienced with children of special needs, I don’t think inundating them on a plane to deal with it, is the best place to do it.
If the child had not calmed down, would that have been fair to the other passengers?
If the flight attendant had laid off but the child still had a meltdown, would that be fair to others to listen for the length of the flight to it?
I don’t know..
Traveling with kids in general is so hard, esp. flying.
I refuse to put my kids through it.
This story irritates me to no end. I’ve flown twice with my autistic child and both times have had major anxiety over what “could” happen (thankfully both flights were meltdown free). The little boy was only 2.5 yrs old- autism or not, ANY child could have (and probably has) acted the same exact way on a plane. For the crew to even think reprimanding and threatening a child is appropriate – that is completely unacceptable and unprofessional behavior. I’m completely disgusted.
The airport and plane are always very stressful even for the average person, last year we decided it would be better to get a wheelchair and have attendant take our 10 year old to the gate to get through the lines and crowd. He was fine with the chair even felt important so by the time he had to get on he was not stressed. This might be a good recommendation for all of you who travel and don’t need more stress. We leave next week for another trip and I am already getting worried about how it will go. The DVD player is an excellent idea but the airlines want you to use headphones so you don’t disturb the other passengers. I really feel sorry for this mom and her child, she needed them to have more understanding unfortunately the majority of people do not.
Dear Reporter,
What happened is inhuman and should never happen, NO BODY MAY CONSIDER THIS CHILD GULITY IN ANY WAY.If I was in power to gudge the one decided to remove this child from this flight I have him jailed for a very long time so nobody will through a HUMAN BEEN OR HURT HIS FEELINGS AGAIN.
AHMED HAMDAN
I think it’s absolutely hideous that this has happened! Our children should be treated with respect and love~just as any other child would be treated on a flight. You don’t see them throwing off a child or adult for that matter who has just plain bad behavior. The bit about the carry on bag is just ridiculous. It was just an excuse, and a lame one at that. This whole ordeal leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. We had plans to fly home this summer, but I think given this situation, we’ll find other means to get home. What a sickening display on the airplane’s crew part. They should be admonished and shamed; not the poor mom and little boy.
I have a 10 year old son on the spectrum. My heart goes out to both child and Mom. The ignorance and apathetic attitude regarding Autism seems to be everywhere. I have been asked to leave Hotels at 2:00 in the morning because my son was having a meltdown, but the intoxicated guests having a party were not. I carry cards from TACA in my purse now and hand them out to every person that gives a dirty look or makes a nasty remark. After reading them, they change attitude quickly. Maybe we can educate our nation one hand-out at a time. I hope the Mom has the time, energy and funds to make this airline realize what they did was descriminate against a minority.
Just a Mom
I cried when I watched this mother with her son. I was crying not only for her and her child but also the state of ignorance our society is in and still WANTS to be in. I have not yet tried travelling with my 5 year old son yet but when we do, I don’t think I will be flying. The nerve of American Airlines to continue to insist that this incident was the mother and child’s fault and that they (American Airlines) were in the right. For Shame!
I read the message boards and am completely sickened! I think we need to step up and educate America lets do something for our kids! We need to have shows on every station explaining the different problems with autism and how we are dealing with it and ask for help, we don’t deserve to stay at home with our kids like they did in the old days, we deserve to be free like everyone else in this terrible country we call America. The values of our country have left and we have to deal with everyone elses stupidity and I don’t think that is right at all!
These news reports are alarming, I think one of the most alarming aspects is the way autistic children are being portrayed as violent and disruptive. Not all of them are! and of those who are it is not all the time.
My son has Asperger’s, he is on the mild end. If you did not know him at a young age you would now think he is a slightly eccentric teen! He not only participates in sports, theater, and music, he also has been involved in scouting. He graduated high school with a cumalative GPA 3.94. He is highly successful and the same issues that he had as a child now drive him towards a career. I would like to see some of the positive things autistic children do. We need to let the world know these children have sooo much to give to our world. We have to teach them, and learn from them as well.
As a Grandmaa to a 3 year old with autism I know that it can be stressful traveling in a confined space with the child.One suggestion would be to inform the airline that you need to be seated early to give him time to adjust to this strange enviroment & the entire, unpleasant episode could have been avoided.Anyone with just a minute amount of informatio about kids with autism know that they don’t tolorate being touched by strangers & it was wrong for the crew to physicaly try to interact with him.
This was not handled well at all.
Don’t be so sure about that label; it appears to me that the media just likes hype and they will do anything to get it. They wouldn’t have been much more sensitive about the issue had it been bipolar, I assure you.
I have made comments about this story on the ABC Website. The only thing I will say is that when it comes to anyone of us under the DSM-IV designations of nearly any type, the average population defined in this case as the people who do not directly interact or understand DSM-Iv designations seem to have problems in logical thinking and they do not have the sensitivity nor the intellect to be able to assist in such matters. As our world gets thrown into more environmental and social chaos as well as population growth, the DSM-IV designations of all kinds will grow. It is imperative that professionals who are knowledgable, compassionate, intuitive and logical can come forward and insert themselves into every walk of life, especially the transportation industry. Our world is choked up on chaos.
We create planes which are teeny tiny cramped sardine cans flying in the sky. What do we expect? Firstly, this is a child. Children need space and comfort, DSM-IV designated or not. Secondly, you cannot tell me that “normal” (ugh, normal, whatever!) folks don’t feel the strain of a packed, uncomfortable plane! Now, add to this that a child has trouble with overstimulation. Goodness!! Do these people in the airline industry and elsewhere think that human beings are robots, that we simply can “behave” when so restrained by our world that we cannot even be loud once in awhile? I tell you truly that the restraints that the human race has placed upon itself in civilization creates an unsafe environment because no-person-anywhere-can-breathe!
Here is a small example of what I am talking about. Did you know that at my job, I have to call the receptionist upstairs (if I am following protocol, which I don’t) to use the bathroom because “you never know when a customer will come in.” We humans have created these restrained environments, and our children pay because Autism, in my book is nature’s way of saying “Children need comfort. Children need routine. Children need space to move and to play and to be themselves.” We pump all of these chemicals in the air. We make life formal, stiff and sterile. What do we expect?
I’ve yet to meet an Autistic child I don’t like. Further, I know a man with Asperger’s who is quite brilliant. Yes, he does like to eat lunch at the Ole Miss cafeteria before everyone else, but you know, if that’s all he’s doing is being a little irritating, then in my book that’s okay. He’s free. He writes a lot of good stuff, and as far as I am concerned, he is part of the community, by God!!
CATE
Don’t be so sure about that label; it appears to me that the media just likes hype and they will do anything to get it. They wouldn’t have been much more sensitive about the issue had it been bipolar, I assure you.
I have made comments about this story on the ABC Website. The only thing I will say is that when it comes to anyone of us under the DSM-IV designations of nearly any type, the average population defined in this case as the people who do not directly interact or understand DSM-Iv designations seem to have problems in logical thinking and they do not have the sensitivity nor the intellect to be able to assist in such matters. As our world gets thrown into more environmental and social chaos as well as population growth, the DSM-IV designations of all kinds will grow. It is imperative that professionals who are knowledgable, compassionate, intuitive and logical can come forward and insert themselves into every walk of life, especially the transportation industry. Our world is choked up on chaos.
We create planes which are teeny tiny cramped sardine cans flying in the sky. What do we expect? Firstly, this is a child. Children need space and comfort, DSM-IV designated or not. Secondly, you cannot tell me that most people don’t feel the strain of a packed, uncomfortable plane! Now, add to this that a child has trouble with overstimulation. Goodness!! Do these people in the airline industry and elsewhere think that human beings are robots, that we simply can “behave” when so restrained by our world that we cannot even be loud once in awhile? I tell you truly that the restraints that the human race has placed upon itself in civilization creates an unsafe environment because no-person-anywhere-can-breathe!
Here is a small example of what I am talking about. Did you know that at my job, I have to call the receptionist upstairs (if I am following protocol, which I don’t) to use the bathroom because “you never know when a customer will come in.” We humans have created these restrained environments, and our children pay because Autism, in my book is nature’s way of saying “Children need comfort. Children need routine. Children need space to move and to play and to be themselves.” We pump all of these chemicals in the air. We make life formal, stiff and sterile. What do we expect?
I’ve yet to meet an Autistic child I don’t like. Further, I know a man with Asperger’s who is quite brilliant. Yes, he does like to eat lunch at a local college cafeteria before everyone else, but you know, if that’s all he’s doing is being a little irritating, then in my book that’s okay. He’s free. He writes a lot of good stuff, and as far as I am concerned, he is part of the community.!
CATE
I’m so sorry that this happen to you and i understand your anger about what happen. Your son has every right to have finish that flight to where you were going. If he had been just a crying child that flight assisant would have done all she could to help calm the child down but because of his condition that just gave them the reason to do what they done. I travel from Georgia to Germany with my husband and four kids and return flight back to the state with a new infant to the family, and it was a great flight and not knowing at the time my forth child would later be diagonis with autism.The assistant help make the flight as smooth for us as it could be. For me and my husband we had our hands full but we had alot of help from the staff on board. Don’t let one bad experience keep you from flying the friendly skies. Your in my prayers.
How absolutely inappropriate and unskilled was the behaivor of the airlines and their employees in this situation. How are we ever going to be able to help these children and their families if we cannot even communicate with them in a sensitive manner, much less patiently understand and aid them instead of embarrassing them? As an individual who paid for her tickets, she should have been treated with the upmost respect. However, it is clear, that not only do we need to teach parents how to cope with having a special needs child, we also need to teach them to cope with adults who are ignorant of these issues as well. I absolutely feel for this parent who has been mistreated, but it is apparent that they preyed upon her being upset in this situation. I think that if she had been more prepared and forthright in maybe knowing her rights as a citizen and being intolerable of that kind of behaivor from people whom she is paying to do a service for her, this situation may have turned out a bit differently. God help this family and their situation. These children should be seen as gifts from God rather than an uncomfortable nusiance. I personally think that the other passengers should have been more of help to this lady and her son. No one should be that mistreated in a public setting without being addressed.
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Priest testifies in case of Bertha, Minn., church’s restraining order against autistic boy
Church’s order banished autistic boy
By Dave Kolpack
Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 06/24/2008 10:44:22 PM CDT
A woman who says her autistic child should be allowed to attend church services put her priest on the stand during a court hearing Tuesday.
The Church of St. Joseph in the central Minnesota town of Bertha recently obtained a restraining order against 13-year-old Adam Race, claiming the boy was disruptive and dangerous at Mass.
His mother, Carol Race, is fighting the restraining order. She represented herself at the hearing and questioned the Rev. Daniel Walz for more than an hour.
The Roman Catholic priest acknowledged he did not witness all of the alleged disruptions but said he believes they happened.
Judge Sally Ireland Robertson said it’s unlikely her ruling would be completed before next week.
Afterward, Race said she was disappointed she wasn’t allowed to question the priest about a news release in which the church outlined its efforts to accommodate Adam. She said many of those claims were untrue.
“It was frustrating because I wasn’t allowed to ask him questions that go to the heart of his credibility,” Race said outside the courthouse.
Walz said in his affidavit for obtaining the restraining order that Adam — who is more than 6 feet tall and weighs more than 225 pounds — had urinated and spit during Mass. The priest wrote that Adam bolts unexpectedly from church and has almost knocked people over. On Easter Sunday, he said, Adam ran from the church after Mass, started someone’s car and revved the engine.
Under questioning
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from Race, Walz said he had learned of many of the incidents indirectly, from parishioners who reported them to him.
“So again, you are making a sworn statement to something you did not witness?” Race asked.
“Correct,” Walz said.
Walz showed little emotion throughout his testimony except when Robertson asked him about noises that Adam allegedly made during services.
“Are you asking me to imitate him?” Walz said with a chuckle. When the judge said no, he said, “Good.”
The hearing was scheduled for 90 minutes but took nearly 2 1/2 hours. Race said she planned to call more than a dozen witnesses, but the judge narrowed it to four.
One of the witnesses, church member Don Halbrehder, said he regularly sits in the pew next to the Races. He said he wasn’t bothered by Adam’s behavior and that Adam’s parents sometimes bound their son’s hands or feet during services, which Walz had complained was disruptive.
“I never even knew they did it,” Halbrehder said of the restraints.
Jon Freer, a behavioral consultant from Baxter, Minn., said he observed Adam at a service before the restraining order was issued. Freer testified Adam was not dangerous or disruptive.
“Overall, Adam did a fine job that day,” Freer said.
Walz’s lawyer, Thomas Jenson, called no witnesses.
Race said afterward that she would return to church if the restraining order is lifted.
“I will go back, and I will attempt to make peace with everyone,” she said.
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The Pioneer Press is happy to host community conversations about news and life in the Twin Cities. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don’t threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don’t escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We’ll take action if necessary.
Autistic man lost a week is found alive
Area 1 mile west of camp had been searched 3 times before
By John Brewer
jbrewer@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 06/23/2008 01:54:20 PM CDT
Relatedkeith kennedy found
Autistic man recovering after rescue in WisconsinHer son was unable to speak, unable to walk and covered with ticks.
For Linda Kennedy, it was a wonderful sight.
“He’s alive,” she said Sunday night. “It’s miraculous.”
Keith Kennedy, her 25-year-old son with autism, had been missing for a week from a camp for developmentally disabled adults near Grantsburg, Wis.
Just as hopes were dimming in the weeklong search for him, Kennedy was found alive by a group of St. Paul and Maple Grove firefighters at about 7 p.m., lying next to a stream a mile west of Trade Lake Camp.
Linda Kennedy said her son appeared dehydrated and scraped up when she saw him briefly before he was transported by helicopter to the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview.
The man was in
the intensive care unit this morning, but was stable and improving, a spokeswoman said.
“We just called his name and told him we’re here for him and he’s going to get better and he’s going to get help,” the mother said as she drove from Wisconsin to her son’s hospital.
“Other than some scrapes and cuts and being covered with bugs, he looked pretty darn good. We’re having a party right now,” Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland said.
Hundreds of people had scoured the fields, forests and rivers near the camp for seven days, joined by searchers in helicopters, on horseback and in canoes.
Roland estimated more than 40 square miles had been searched.
Kennedy was found in rough terrain marked by swamps and thick brush. The area had been searched three times in the past week, Roland said, and about 70 searchers were about to conclude a fourth search Sunday night when they found Kennedy.
Hours before that, Roland had contemplated calling off the search.
Searchers also worried Kennedy was suffering because he hadn’t received needed anti-rejection medication for a kidney transplant he received in 1995.
“I will never forget the smile on Mom and Dad’s face after they heard their son was safe,” Roland said.
It is still not clear how Kennedy, who needs constant supervision, was able to walk away from the camp a week ago.
Kennedy, who lives in a Shoreview group home, had spent a week in each of the previous two summers at the Grantsburg camp without incident, veteran camp counselor Barb Denn said.
After dinner June 15, he was expected to get ready for bed but was reported missing about 8 p.m. The search began immediately.
Early on, some searchers were told he would hide from loud noises, including those created by search planes or ATVs, and wouldn’t answer if called.
His mother didn’t dwell on the search Sunday night as she drove to be with her son.
“Hopefully, he’ll survive this horrible ordeal. He’s an incredibly strong
Linda Kennedy prays as she awaits the arrival of her son. (Special to Pioneer Press: Priscilla Bauer, Inter-County Leader)individual,” Linda Kennedy said.
John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.
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The Pioneer Press is happy to host community conversations about news and life in the Twin Cities. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don’t threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don’t escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We’ll
two items of interest. one very ugly in the church scene the other was scarey for awhile
Poor pre-flight prepoaration by the parent.
Mishandled by the flight attendants.
Shamelessly sensationalized by the media (why was the label ‘autistic’ used?).
Correct decision made by the captain.
MY HEART BRAKES FOR THIS MOTHER FOR I KNOW HER PAIN FIRST HAND. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD WITH AUSTISM SHE IS NON-VERBAL AND WE HAVE MELTDOWNS OFTEN. THEIR IS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THEIR ARE SO MANY UNEDUCATED PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF CHALLANGES CHILDREN WITH AUSTISM FACE EVERYDAY. PEOPL;E WHO DON’T UNDAERSTAND AUSTISM LOOK AT OUR CHILDREN AND ASK WHY CAN’T WE COMTROL THEM? IF IT WAS ONLY THAT EASY. EDUCATION IS THE KEY WEBSITES LIKE THIS ONE.
Couldn’t the childs parents have arranged to sedate him?
THIS IS APPALLING!!!
I HAVE A 6 1\2 YR OLD SON WHO IS AUTISTIC, AND HAVE FLOWN WITH
HIM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON MANY TYPES OF FLIGHTS. HE IS ALWAYS
(BELIEVE IT OR NOT) THE BETTER BEHAVED OF THE CHILDREN ON THE FLIGHT – GIVEN THE COUPLE TIMES HE HAS HAD MINOR EPISODES – USUALLY WHILE WAITING OVER AN HOUR TO GET OFF THE PLANE…
…THE FLIGHT CREW WAS WRONG – AND I’D NEVER HAVE ALLOWED ANYONE ELSE TO INTERACT WITH MY CHILD WHILE IN THAT STATE
THEY HAD NO RIGHT TO TAKE IT APON THEMSELVES TO BULLY A LITTLE
BOY WHO IS CONFUSED AND UNABLE TO SPEAK UP FOR HIMSELF…
WITH 1 IN EVERY 140-160 CHILDREN BEING DIAGNOSED EVERYDAY
THESE PEOPLE NEED A WAKE UP CALL AND AN EDUCATION IN COMPASSION…!!
AS FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE PLANE AND THEIR COMFORT LEVEL–
SKIP IT I SAY…ARE THEY INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING
EVERY AUTISTIC CHILD ALWAYS HAS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FUNCTIONALITY AND EVERY MELTDOWN IS DIFFERENT – BUT ALOT OF THE TIME – WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT (IN MY EXPERIENCE) THE MELTDOWNS ARE TEMPORARY AND FADE AWAY AFTER A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME AND USUALLY ONLY REQUIRE A FRACTION OF HUMAN COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE NOISE AND DISCOMFORT…
THE CHILD WAS INSTIGATED WHILE IN A VERY SENSITIVE STATE AND SOMETHING WHICH COULD HAVE BLOWN OVER AFTER 20 MINUTES TURNED INTO SOMETHING THAT I FEEL THE FAMILY SHOULD SUE OVER
AS FOR THE BAG AT THE FEET ISSUE – THAT IS A PETTY REASON TO JUSTIFY THE DISCRIMINATION THAT WAS ON DISPLAY
YES THE MOTHER SHOULD HAVE PUT IT UP ( YOU COULD KEEP OUT ONE OR TWO THINGS FOR COMFORT WITHOUT NEEDING THE ENTIRE THING) BUT SURELY THE BAG ON THE FLOOR WAS NOT THE CAUSE FOR THE WAY THE CREW HANDLED THE CHILD
THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS….HMMM
WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD
THEY HAD NO RIGHT TO EVEN TOUCH THE KID
KUDOS TO THE MOM – I’D HAVE HANDLED THE CREW IN A VERY FORWARD MANNER HAD THAT BEEN MY SON
MELTDOWNS ARE SOMETIMES THE ONLY METHOD OUR AUTISTIC CHILDREN HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH…THE WORLD NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND GET A CLUE….
…NOT CARING AND UNDERSTANDING TILL IT AFFECTS YOU IS NOT GOING TO BE AN OPTION SOON, WITH THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BEING DIAGNOSED RISING EVERYDAY THESE PPL WILL WAKE UP TO A VERY RUDE AND HARSH REALITY WHEN IT BEGINS TO AFFECT THE ONES CLOSEST TO THEM
TOO BAD THAT ALL TOO OFTEN THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GAIN A LITTLE COMPASSION IN SOME PEOPLE’S LIVES…
JOEY’S MOM
…THERE IS HOPE IN LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING, WITH COMPASSION AND TENACITY,
WE CAN DEFEAT AUTISM!!!
…NEVER GIVE UP ON OUR CHILDREN, THEY ARE ALL THE WORLD HAS TO LOOK FORWARD TO….
Now I feel fortunate when I took my granddaughter who is autistic to the Philippines. She was better than I was expecting on the long flight. She had only a few moments of fit throwing and the people next to me was terrific in helping me with her. My husband and son had seats away from us and I was worried about other people around her. But it was really great. The flight was better than the stay in the Philippines with her. Everyone needs to Educate themselves on Autism it is a growing matter that people needs to be aware of and I am not scared to educate anyone who looks at my granddaughter in a funny way. God Bless all who has to deal with the ups and downs of an Autistic Child. I feel I am blessed with my granddaughter. Love her to death and learned alot from her.
This is so upsetting My grandson age 10 Regressive Autism PDD & parents are planning a flight to California from Ohio for medical reasons for this child. This is terrifyiong!
I cannot immagine how this would be to happen to a family already struggling with Autism on a daily basis then to be treated this way is inhumane. The public & these institutions need to be educated about autism and how to understand what is happening to these children & familes. so they can provide them with the service they paid for.This should never have happened.
hi these is very bad thing which i saw in the story..
we are in normal society.
why dont we condemn that one..
I saw this story on Good Morning America and was shocked but not as shock as when I went to the ABC website to coment on the story. People need to learn about autism and learn compassion. Only one other person making coments really knew what autism was. Everyone else thought that the woman was a bad bad mom or her little boy was a spoiled brat. I can not believe how many people still think that children should be seen and not heard. People in general don’t want to know why something is happening they just want it to stop so they can be comfortable. I think there would be more outrange if this had happened to someone with a more visable disability. Maybe this story will help others. I have never flown on a plane with my son but I would certainly not let them throwing me off the plane be the end of it. I am proud of my son and I love him. We have rights.
I have traveled on a plane with my little girl on several occasions because we had to travel to a place that had Speech therapy, not all places are in the area you live in so of course sometimes it is necessary to take your child on a flight… My daughter had a complete meltdown once on about 5 different occasions when we had to fly back and forth and I nearly hopped a seat to choke a woman for snapping at my child after we had landed and were deboarding the plane, what surprised me was that the people on the plane were very understanding and did everything to help me out with my daughter, as for the stewardess I informed her that my daughter was autistic and she backed off, she tried to talk to my daughter but I told her it wouldn’t do her any good to speak to her at all… As for the mom and son personally I would have stepped in between the stewardess and anyone else that tried to reprimand my child, it is not there place, as for the fact they were escorted off the plane like that I would definitely sue the flight and all the attendants for not being more helpful and understanding and also laying a hand on the child, if we were to even spank our child it is called child abuse, think about that one…. As for flights out there they really need to think of maybe redoing some of these planes, such as they have a first class seating, why not add a special section for special people that need less overstimulation when they look around, I mean why not, they have sectioned off one part of the plane, why not section off another small part, I can gaurantee you it would be much easier on the parent and there special needs child… As for the people out there who say I would never take my child on a flight, never say never, because one day you may have to and you may have to face the same situation, don’t blame the mom for wanting to visit family and taking her child on a plane or informing the airline of her child, what business is it of anyones anyways, informing them isn’t going to educate them the way they should be, apparently the way they see it is it would not be profitable in there eyes… Airlines adjust for other situation why not adjust for this too, stop being so ignorant and blind and have to wait for someone to say anything at all….
My heart goes out to the mom and child. I felt so sadden when I heard this story. People need to educate themselves, because they don’t have any idea what it’s like having a child with autism. I work with autistic children everyday, though I don’t have an autistic child, I do know what it is like. Something should be done, and if I were the parents, I would file the biggest lawsuit ever.
I found all of the article appalling. I have 3 children one is 16 and has been diagnoused with autism the other 2 11 and 9 are on the autism spectrum. I can’t imagine anyone throwing me and my children off from a plane because of their behavior. Although I know that at this time until we get full wrap-around services that my 16 y.o. has bee band from Wal*Mart
for an incident inwhich he was not getting his way and was attempting to chock me. But the only reason he is so violent at times is not the autism, the fact that the state of PA allowed him to be in the custody of Bradford County Children and Youth Services for 7 1/2 yrs. During that time they did everything to abuse him ( physically,emtoinally, sexually, and chemically) and have gotten away with it. They even institutionalized him. I can say with confidence that the institutionalization is where he aquried his extrem behavioral problems. But even if that had not happened to him I can still relate to the family who has been banned from their church due to so called disruptive behavior. That happened to our family when our son who is 16 was only 3 or 4yo Our church did not get a restraining order but they had this letter written tthat said to the effect that we were not to bring him. It was never inforced but the idea is totally unfamthomable. I hope that family wins their case. Anyway all of these cases are totally unacceptable and there certainly is alot of educating of the general public that needs to be done.
I am sending strength and wisdom vibes to this mom and her family. as a mom of 4 and one on the spectrum…we have been kicked out of private school, but not before we were told to institutionalize our child. There is a total lack of understanding and education out there on autism and autism spectrum disorders…although, it is hard enough for me to get my family to understand my son and his needs, so how can I expect a bunch of strangers to accept what they do not understand.
We just got off a plane yesterday. We were very worried about the checkpoints and what he might do…but, things went well. One of the guards mentioned that perhaps he needed to use the bathroom as he was doing a bit of a dance (stimming), but when I mentioned that he had autism, the guard apologized and lowered his head and said sorry again…
You could tell my son was very stressed by the end of the day’s events, as he was ticking and stimming so badly on the plane and once we were on the ground, he had a hard time keeping it together. But he did well and we are home and safe.
We live in a society that has little, if no tolerance for things they do not understand and have no patience to understand…unfortunately, if these people do not already have autism touching their world, they soon will.
I don’t believe this! People can so….cruel! Funny how we think this things happens to other people we don’t know and when you look around…it’s here next to you!
I have to say again, I’m so sorry that there are people in this world who cannot see further than their noses and you just can’t cooperate, comunikate or share your pain and needs with them….a world without understanding for basic needs…children needs!
Shame on them!!!