AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
The leaflet claims a woman confronted Connor and his caregiver while they were using the swing set on Mother's Day.
The family of an autistic teenager has lashed out at a bully in leaflets taped around an Auckland park.
The posters, which are titled "Let Connor Swing", have been taped to a swing set in Rocket Park in Mt Albert.
Addressed "to the lady with the red hair", the leaflet claims she confronted Connor, who has autism, and his caregiver while they were using the swing set on Mother's Day.
It claims the woman complained that Connor was swinging too high and was exhibiting anti-social behaviour.
The leaflet, which was signed by "Connor's family", says he has autism and enjoys swinging as high as he can.
"...It is your job and the job of other parents at this park to make sure their children are kept at a safe distance from anybody on the swings no matter how high they might swing or what age they are," the letter reads.
The family says they put the notices up in the New North Rd playground with the hope the woman would read them.
"You should be ashamed of your disgusting behaviour towards a special needs person who lives within your community and who deserves to be treated with kindness and respect like everyone else.
"Instead, you chased my son and his caregiver out of the park with your bullying and threatening behaviour."
The family contacted Auckland Council about the situation and were told there was "no age limit to anyone using the swings", the letter claims.
"We will be back to let Connor swing to his heart's content."
Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan says the organisation is aware of other parents of autistic children receiving similar complaints.
Many people don't understand how to interact with people with autism, he says.
"We believe there is really good awareness of autism in the community but not a great understanding of how autism manifests itself."
Dougan says it's important the community realises that an autistic child's behaviour has nothing to do with the parents.
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/808...llied-by-woman-in-Auckland-park-family-claims
The leaflet claims a woman confronted Connor and his caregiver while they were using the swing set on Mother's Day.
The family of an autistic teenager has lashed out at a bully in leaflets taped around an Auckland park.
The posters, which are titled "Let Connor Swing", have been taped to a swing set in Rocket Park in Mt Albert.
Addressed "to the lady with the red hair", the leaflet claims she confronted Connor, who has autism, and his caregiver while they were using the swing set on Mother's Day.
It claims the woman complained that Connor was swinging too high and was exhibiting anti-social behaviour.
The leaflet, which was signed by "Connor's family", says he has autism and enjoys swinging as high as he can.
"...It is your job and the job of other parents at this park to make sure their children are kept at a safe distance from anybody on the swings no matter how high they might swing or what age they are," the letter reads.
The family says they put the notices up in the New North Rd playground with the hope the woman would read them.
"You should be ashamed of your disgusting behaviour towards a special needs person who lives within your community and who deserves to be treated with kindness and respect like everyone else.
"Instead, you chased my son and his caregiver out of the park with your bullying and threatening behaviour."
The family contacted Auckland Council about the situation and were told there was "no age limit to anyone using the swings", the letter claims.
"We will be back to let Connor swing to his heart's content."
Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan says the organisation is aware of other parents of autistic children receiving similar complaints.
Many people don't understand how to interact with people with autism, he says.
"We believe there is really good awareness of autism in the community but not a great understanding of how autism manifests itself."
Dougan says it's important the community realises that an autistic child's behaviour has nothing to do with the parents.
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/808...llied-by-woman-in-Auckland-park-family-claims
