Just a few words by my son a Fellow Fulham Fan, about my Grandson
So this month is Autism awareness which is a good thing as it may educate and make some of us a little more understanding of this condition.
My son Dexter is on the ASD spectrum and although a shock at first diagnosis as the thoughts of my son is not going to be normal were running around my head, But what is normal we are all different in weird and wonderful ways and i am never going to treat my son as though he is strange or be embarrassed by his behaviour or apologise to strangers when we are out if he's having a meltdown I am proud that my son is a little different from the norm.
All I ask from people is the next time you see a child in the shop or over the park with their parents/Grandparents or whoever and the child is wailing,screaming having what looks like a full on brat style fit please please don't judge....you cannot control a meltdown.
Dexter I love you with all my heart and would never want you any other way your Daddafuma xxx
Thank you for sharing Peabody.
I wish the best to your family.
Quote from: Ron Sheepskin on April 13, 2016, 08:55:19 PM
Thank you for sharing Peabody.
I wish the best to your family.
:plus one:
Thanks for sharing Peabody. You must be so proud of your son. You and he must be so proud of your grandson.
Good luck to all your family.
Brilliant post Mr P.
My eldest son is a very slow developer and is showing all the signs of Autism. We are trying very hard to get it confirmed or find out exactly what is wrong with him but he is only 15 months and probably too young for diagnosis.
He has these tantrums already and unusual behaviour especially doing repetitive things and flapping his hands. I am already prepared for the possibility of him being Autistic and causing scenes in public as he gets older and I have already made my mind up that I will not apologise for him or explain why he does it. Unfortunately the world is an ignorant place and it's only through educating everyone that disabilities don't all carry a stick, have a wheelchair or wear a hearing aid. Quite a lot of disibilities are invisible to the naked eye. I should know being a bus driver, the amount of disabled oyster passes with people not looking like anything is wrong with them. You just assume they are pulling a fast one to get travel free but who are we to assume. Just like you say people assume a child is spoilt, not the case at all! But we live in hope that the future for all Autistic children and adults will be a less judgemental place.
Disability awareness is so important. Be proud of your son and grandson. I have no doubt in my mind my son no matter what happens will be coming Fulham with me and treated just like his brother and sisters. And I'm proud of you Mr P for posting this.
Peabody, for the last 10 years of my working life I worked on the residential side of a special needs school. Many of the children had very severe Autism, so strong that their lives were ruled by so many rituals. One lad Aaron, when at home, it took his dad two hours to get him to go to bed every night. I am well aware of the condition, good luck.
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Good post sir. Touches me. My daughter graduated from university but her behaviour became very bizarre. She got into trouble, caused trouble (for me) and during that period crashed her car, drunk driving.
Since then, she went into a deep depression and was suicidal. She is currently under the department of mental health and does act very strange out in public. I see people looking at her in a strange way but it is ok, she can't help it. She is 26 now. Making some progress which makes me proud. I have no idea what the future holds for her.
The thing is, the place she goes to every day have lots like her, different states of mental health. Years ago, I would have given them a wide berth but now I communicate with them, shake hands with them all and occasionally help at her place ( serving lunches and stuff like that).
It is tough when someone looks so normal but acts very different. Thanks for reading this.
Beautifully put and moving to read, Mr Peabody. I volunteer at my kids' school and am usually paired up with a 6 year old boy who has Autism. Generally, we go out on to the field and play football or catch. He'd do well for us at the Cottage as he can kick it miles with great accuracy and can catch anything. There are times when he's almost out of control so I get him running round the pitch.
He's hard work but rewarding to be with.
I wish more people had that experience so that they respond to people with Autism in the way that you desire.
Mr. Peabody, I forgot to say, I work with a lot of autistic kids at a ski resort in winter. Yes, we teach them to ski and some are awesome but it takes time to get them there. We have to go through many tantrums and people look at us probably thinking how cruel a parent can you be, forcing a 5 year old to ski....that is not the case, in the end, they love it.