Where do you stand on this?

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Yeah, she's...something, isn't she?

I've got words other than "something" but would certainly get banned if I shared them.

 

[lauradis]

Inelegantly put, perhaps, but I agree with the general gist of it. Lots of people need to "medicate" to travel, including children. Occasional use of sedating medications would seem to me to be a wise option for parents to consider in these situations if the potential for violent, uncontrollable behaviour is a possibility. Then again, for this particular family where the "trigger" seems to be quite predictable and well defined, so would throwing a ramen noodle cup in your carry-on just in case...

None of my writing skills are elegant. lol

 

[Magic Band Defender]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

 

[sunshinehighway]

That's part of the problem right there. Why should you expect to be attacked for discussing something fully? Even discussion of vociferous disagreement is perfectly fine if it's not disrespectful or refusing to listen to an opposing viewpoint. How can solutions be arrived at if all sides of a situation can't be honestly evaluated and discussed?

Posts like the following are why situations like this incident cannot be honestly evaluated and discussed with fear of backlash and being attacked by other comments.

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

None of this as anything to do with the situation being discussed.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

Has a single poster said they do not like special needs children or that they do not want to fly with special needs children? I haven't seen that at all.

The mother may want to frame this as about discrimination against autistic individuals, but that does not seem to most of us reading it (including many of us with kids who have a diagnosis of autism) interpret the event at all.

It seems to have been a bad day for the girl and her family, things went wrong, they were less prepared than they could have been, they got frazzles, Mom USED HER DAUGHTER'S AUTISM AS A THREAT (which I take huge issue with; that feeds fear from those unfamiliar with it, instead of helping) and THAT seems to be the main issue at hand.

(edited to add, while I wish she had not done so, I can sympathize with the mom being worried/scared/embarrassed/tired etc and make that threat in flight and then regretting it later---I cannot sympathize with her making the threat in the heat of the moment and then following up afterwards acting as if that was perfectly reasonable, and the airline was discriminatory and filing a lawsuit. It does feel, at that point, like she is USING her child'S diagnosis and in a way that ultimately is harmful to her child and the wider community--much like, though not as bad, as the people suing Disney over the new structure for line accommodations that others are posting about).

 

[Luvchefmic]

My God Magic Band Defender


You REALLY think anyone thinks, suggests, or wants these children ( and adults ) locked away in a snake pit somewhere ? What people are objecting to are the families that want to be elevated above what everyone else is entitled too because they are dealing with a disability. No one is lighting torches and chasing anyone out of the village.

 

[nugov2]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

You are right, when we know better we do better. When we know our children need things we make sure we as parents we provide those things we don't expect the world around us to bend to provide them. There are times where exceptions should/can be made b/c we are human and make mistakes, but then you own that part of it you don't blame the company that did what they could to help and then did what they had to do based on their protocol. Sadly air travel and safety on an airplane is a huge deal these days and once a threat is made even under the guise of hey just letting you know if we don't get x, then y may happen is still saying right now there is a chance my child may get violent. If her child did get violent and they didn't do something now there is a whole plane of passengers who can say this mom told them she would act out and may hurt people and now you are to blame for not protecting the passengers and we now have an injured person. It may have been highly unlikely to happen, but they are protected if they react not if they do not. I'm not sure what the part about institutionalizing special needs children has to do with this situation other than to say if you don't agree with me you are saying those children should be locked up and the key thrown away...you are a monster. That is ridiculous. Sorry, not everyone with a child on the spectrum shares your views and actually thinks it is a disservice to their children to expect the world to just bend instead of teaching them to live a successful life with their disability. Your whole post is gross and serves no purpose other than to create drama.

 

[barkley]

I have read posts from parents arguing for special line privileges at WDW for their autistic children saying that they might strike out or flail about and hurt other people in line. Not the same as threatening harm on a plane but still sounds a little bit like a threat to get to skip a line.

I need to put on a bullet proof cape because I know that I will be attacked for writing this.

no attack here-and as the parent of an asd kid I think this type of request/thinking is WAY OUT OF LINE. if my son had an issue related to his autism (or any condition) where he posed a threat/danger being in line w/other people then it's MY responsibility to ensure the safety of others by seeing if the issue could be addressed through his therapies, BUT absent being able to successfully handle it that way I would not be putting him into situations endangering others.

my son attends individual and group therapy-one of the key areas in group is learning about and practicing appropriate public/private socialization and interaction. we purposely do activities and outings to help the kids (and parents) put into practice the techniques they've/we've learned-and it allows both the kids and their parents (who attend during the same time a parent support group) to figure out if certain situations/activities simply will not work short or long term given the challenges an individual kid has. we have some kids/parents who have been largely isolated from doing anything outside their homes but b/c of this experience it's opened their world to being able to do things-on the flip side, we have kids/parents who through trial and error have come to realize that their asd challenges/symptoms simply pose too great a risk to themselves/others if they try to do certain activities.

I appreciate the multitude of accommodations that are available for my son-many WAY beyond the letter and spirit of the ADA and non discriminatory legislations, but no way do I feel that my child's needs/wants for entertainment entitle him to preferential treatment (which is what I perceive line skipping as).

 

[aaarcher86]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

None of that absolves a parent from maintaining control of their child. Having special needs doesn't mean everyone has to deal with and put up with inappropriate behavior.

And honestly, posts and attitudes like this are instantly off putting and don't help people understand or want to understand at all.

 

[cabanafrau]

Posts like the following are why situations like this incident cannot be honestly evaluated and discussed with fear of backlash and being attacked by other comments.



None of this as anything to do with the situation being discussed.

Eh, you give comments the respect they deserve, you respond with rationed, reasoned thinking and keep working for solutions.

 

[gwynne]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

I guess you wanted to blog a bit. Ok.

Are you truly familiar with the United Airlines flight in question?

Are you aware passengers are legally obligated to follow FAA regulations and Flight Attendant (and crew) instructions? Are you aware there are consequences for not following crew instructions, or saying anything that could be interpreted as a threat?

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

Did you see how calm the girl was when she got off the plane? Makes the flight crew look like a bunch of idiots.

 

[gwynne]

Did you see how calm the girl was when she got off the plane? Makes the flight crew look like a bunch of idiots.

Really? So do you believe that a passenger making any kind of a threat on an airplane is okey dokey? Are you saying passengers have a right to demand whatever, say whatever and the crew must obey??

 

[cabanafrau]

no attack here-and as the parent of an asd kid I think this type of request/thinking is WAY OUT OF LINE. if my son had an issue related to his autism (or any condition) where he posed a threat/danger being in line w/other people then it's MY responsibility to ensure the safety of others by seeing if the issue could be addressed through his therapies, BUT absent being able to successfully handle it that way I would not be putting him into situations endangering others.

my son attends individual and group therapy-one of the key areas in group is learning about and practicing appropriate public/private socialization and interaction. we purposely do activities and outings to help the kids (and parents) put into practice the techniques they've/we've learned-and it allows both the kids and their parents (who attend during the same time a parent support group) to figure out if certain situations/activities simply will not work short or long term given the challenges an individual kid has. we have some kids/parents who have been largely isolated from doing anything outside their homes but b/c of this experience it's opened their world to being able to do things-on the flip side, we have kids/parents who through trial and error have come to realize that their asd challenges/symptoms simply pose too great a risk to themselves/others if they try to do certain activities.

I appreciate the multitude of accommodations that are available for my son-many WAY beyond the letter and spirit of the ADA and non discriminatory legislations, but no way do I feel that my child's needs/wants for entertainment entitle him to preferential treatment (which is what I perceive line skipping as).

Your whole attitude and approach help stack the deck in your child's favor. Being responsible and doing all you can to approach people cooperatively increases the odds people will respond to you, and your child, with the same. Experienced voices like yours need to be heard to help those of us who are ignorant to a lot of the details to be aware of what might make things better, not just for your child going to the front of the line or in first class the way a lot of the public gets alerted to these issues, but whole life, participating in society solutions that ultimately improve things for everyone.

 

[aaarcher86]

Did you see how calm the girl was when she got off the plane? Makes the flight crew look like a bunch of idiots.

Isn't that the point though? The MOTHER threatened the violent act. The girl calmed down because she got hot food, but the route change was already decided upon because of the threat. She may have been fine, but you can't just change your mind with a flight diversion.

Does anyone really think they'd get permission to divert and deal with the costs and media for no reason?

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

What brought all this on?

 

[JanaDee]

Did you see how calm the girl was when she got off the plane? Makes the flight crew look like a bunch of idiots.

I think the mother is the one that ended up looking like an idiot.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Did you see how calm the girl was when she got off the plane? Makes the flight crew look like a bunch of idiots.

Trying too hard...

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I guess you wanted to blog a bit. Ok.

Are you truly familiar with the United Airlines flight in question?

Are you aware passengers are legally obligated to follow FAA regulations and Flight Attendant (and crew) instructions? Are you aware there are consequences for not following crew instructions, or saying anything that could be interpreted as a threat?

Oh, so that was blogging? I was so confused there for a minute. Thanks for clearing up what the op was trying to accomplish.

 

[barkley]

Just a few generations ago, special needs children were routinely sent to institutions. Often as infants. Many never saw a family member ever again. Many never saw beyond the walls of their facility ever again.

When you know better, you do better. Those facilities are not the ideal place for special needs children to reach their full potential.

There have always been and always will be people with special needs. Despite how things were "back in your day" special needs children are now growing up in the same society and environments as you and your NT children.

Get used to it. Special needs children will be in the grocery store, school, mall, WDW, and everywhere else you normally find children. This generation of parents will not be locking their children away like sending an unwanted pet to a shelter.

The number of children on the spectrum is on the rise, especially in little boys. There is no consensus on why this is happening, how it could be prevented, or even the best treatments.

If you don't like it, please feel free to rent a private jet, or better yet move to some backwards country where people with special needs are still locked up, abused, and ignored.

"MY DAY" IS TODAY, EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS AND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

"Those who know better do better" by facilitating an open and respectful communication of opinions and knowledge.


"In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth" (Xunzi)