Just felt discriminated against :(

[lusterleaf]

My son (2.5 years old) was diagnosed with autism just about a year ago and I knew there would be some tough times but today I guess I experienced my first bout of discrimination because he has autism. I joined a moms meetup group and the organizer had set up a cooking class with a facility that shared space with a daycare, so they were also offering babysitting for the parents. I signed up for it and was supposed to go this weekend. The organizer asked me today if there was anything the daycare teachers should know about my son and I said well, he is 2.5 years old, and he is a playful happy boy but he is non-verbal and still not yet potty trained. So she asked if he was diagnosed with anything and I told her yes he was diagnosed autistic. So I guess once the facility got wind of this they said they do not have anyone certified to work to autistic kids. Needless to say I had to pull out of the event. It just makes me sad because he is a normal happy boy and can play with other kids, its not like he has a disease ok vent over.. thanks for listening..

 

[alibaba24]

sorry you had to experience this I hate the way people think all autistic people are the same and just put them in a box thinking they know autism. Its so unfair your son never got a chance to go and play with the other kids and also for your class .

 

[alibaba24]

also im quite suprised at her asking if he had a diagnosis there are alot of 2.5 year olds who are not yet potty trained

 

[babifever]

Sorry about that, they suck. But on the other side, obviously they havent been properly educated.

 

[PresqueVu]

I'm sorry to hear this, that's sad for you and your son.

Is this something you could maybe talk through with them? there's a lot of misinformation about, it might just be a case that they don't understand what it might involve so are just a bit intimidated by the label?

 

[lusterleaf]

Thanks all. I did try to explain that I currently drop him off at a daycare with typical kids each morning before he goes to his special needs classroom and he functions fine there, but I guess they hear the word autism and automatically think my son is going to be destructive or something. There really needs to be more awareness and acceptance.

 

[JASMAK]

I have had similar. I just don't share it now.