AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Family: Mother Margaret and Taylor Gilmour.
A mother has made a desperate plea online after her daughter who has Asperger's syndrome was repeatedly "terrorised" by bullies.
Taylor Gilmour, 15, has been targeted by a group of teenage boys in her class since May 2015, according to her mother Margaret.
The group have allegedly thrown eggs at her home in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, called her vile nicknames and shamed her on social media, all after Taylor was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 12.
Margaret, a 38-year-old support worker for people with disabilities, has now revealed the torment her family has faced.
"One of the mothers I went to after her child had been terrorising Taylor said to me 'if she's not right you should keep her indoors'," said Margaret.
"It really does affect her at times. She stopped going out because she didn't know when she was going to run into them.
"Taylor is very bubbly, she's very funny, although it takes a while to see that side of her. People I feel don't see past this Asperger's, they don't get her.
"As for how it has affected me, I can only describe it as being in a whirlwind that's got faster and faster."
Instances of bullying began for Taylor shortly after her 14th birthday, a time when she had "an array of friends".
Relationships became tumultuous as Taylor struggled to manage her condition on top of growing peer pressures.
Asperger's syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
In October 2015, the group led by one "ringleader" who had previously been abusive online, threatened to visit Taylor's house on Halloween.
Margaret, who was heavily pregnant with her son Jackson and had warned the school about the threat, watched in horror as around 15 masked youths gathered outside her home and pelted her windows with eggs.
Police Scotland confirmed their involvement in the incident after reports of an alleged breach of the peace but said no one was charged.
"I phoned my friends saying I was absolutely petrified," said Margaret, shaking with the recollection.
"My friend came over and they jumped out on her and shouted at her. By the time the police came the windows had been egged. I called the school again but the tormenting never stopped."
Taylor's condition manifests itself in "obsessive" tendencies, which has helped showcase her talents but also causes a great deal of stress.
Her fine eye for detail has enabled her to develop a penchant for make-up artistry and she has launched a YouTube channel for tutorials, inspired by online star Jamie Genevieve.
The condition also means Taylor suffers from hyper-sensitivity, in her case to touch, light, temperature and sound.
Her high stress levels have resulted in verbal retaliation and disobedience, which primary teachers perceived to simply be bad behaviour.
Margaret said she suspected Taylor was on the autistic spectrum at the age of six but struggled to get a diagnosis despite involvement from child and adolescent mental health services and East Refrewshire Council's social work.
Taylor: 'Obsesses' over Mac make-up for YouTube channel.
"I felt like I was fighting this huge battle and no one was listening to me," said Margaret.
"Eventually she was diagnosed at Yorkhill within 20 minutes at age 12 and it was as if someone had lifted this huge weight off my shoulders."
After several talks with Taylor's school over her behaviour, relationships and ongoing bullying, as well as writing to MSP Kirsten Oswald for support, Margaret has decided to move Taylor to a new school for her fifth year.
She hopes her story will encourage parents and pupils alike to be more aware of autistic conditions.
She added: "It's a hidden disability but just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.
"When you see a child with a physical impairment, that empathy should be the same empathy you give to someone with a hidden disability.
"People should educate themselves - you never know how your own children are going to turn out.
"Instead of educating children in high school it should be taught in primary so that children grow up with a knowledge of it, as with all forms of diversity."
An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "We operate a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying and take any allegations of this behaviour extremely seriously.
"We have a very low incident rate of bullying behaviour in our schools and robust policies and measures in place to investigate, address and record any issues.
"Staff at the school have worked closely with this pupil and her family.
"We are disappointed to learn that the family have ongoing concerns and encourage them to continue their dialogue with us as we are fully committed to ensuring that all our pupils have a positive school experience."
Source: Mother's plea as daughter with Asperger's 'terrorised' by bullies
Family: Mother Margaret and Taylor Gilmour.
A mother has made a desperate plea online after her daughter who has Asperger's syndrome was repeatedly "terrorised" by bullies.
Taylor Gilmour, 15, has been targeted by a group of teenage boys in her class since May 2015, according to her mother Margaret.
The group have allegedly thrown eggs at her home in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, called her vile nicknames and shamed her on social media, all after Taylor was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 12.
Margaret, a 38-year-old support worker for people with disabilities, has now revealed the torment her family has faced.
"One of the mothers I went to after her child had been terrorising Taylor said to me 'if she's not right you should keep her indoors'," said Margaret.
"It really does affect her at times. She stopped going out because she didn't know when she was going to run into them.
"Taylor is very bubbly, she's very funny, although it takes a while to see that side of her. People I feel don't see past this Asperger's, they don't get her.
"As for how it has affected me, I can only describe it as being in a whirlwind that's got faster and faster."
Instances of bullying began for Taylor shortly after her 14th birthday, a time when she had "an array of friends".
Relationships became tumultuous as Taylor struggled to manage her condition on top of growing peer pressures.
Asperger's syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
In October 2015, the group led by one "ringleader" who had previously been abusive online, threatened to visit Taylor's house on Halloween.
Margaret, who was heavily pregnant with her son Jackson and had warned the school about the threat, watched in horror as around 15 masked youths gathered outside her home and pelted her windows with eggs.
Police Scotland confirmed their involvement in the incident after reports of an alleged breach of the peace but said no one was charged.
"I phoned my friends saying I was absolutely petrified," said Margaret, shaking with the recollection.
"My friend came over and they jumped out on her and shouted at her. By the time the police came the windows had been egged. I called the school again but the tormenting never stopped."
Taylor's condition manifests itself in "obsessive" tendencies, which has helped showcase her talents but also causes a great deal of stress.
Her fine eye for detail has enabled her to develop a penchant for make-up artistry and she has launched a YouTube channel for tutorials, inspired by online star Jamie Genevieve.
The condition also means Taylor suffers from hyper-sensitivity, in her case to touch, light, temperature and sound.
Her high stress levels have resulted in verbal retaliation and disobedience, which primary teachers perceived to simply be bad behaviour.
Margaret said she suspected Taylor was on the autistic spectrum at the age of six but struggled to get a diagnosis despite involvement from child and adolescent mental health services and East Refrewshire Council's social work.
Taylor: 'Obsesses' over Mac make-up for YouTube channel.
"I felt like I was fighting this huge battle and no one was listening to me," said Margaret.
"Eventually she was diagnosed at Yorkhill within 20 minutes at age 12 and it was as if someone had lifted this huge weight off my shoulders."
After several talks with Taylor's school over her behaviour, relationships and ongoing bullying, as well as writing to MSP Kirsten Oswald for support, Margaret has decided to move Taylor to a new school for her fifth year.
She hopes her story will encourage parents and pupils alike to be more aware of autistic conditions.
She added: "It's a hidden disability but just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.
"When you see a child with a physical impairment, that empathy should be the same empathy you give to someone with a hidden disability.
"People should educate themselves - you never know how your own children are going to turn out.
"Instead of educating children in high school it should be taught in primary so that children grow up with a knowledge of it, as with all forms of diversity."
An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "We operate a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying and take any allegations of this behaviour extremely seriously.
"We have a very low incident rate of bullying behaviour in our schools and robust policies and measures in place to investigate, address and record any issues.
"Staff at the school have worked closely with this pupil and her family.
"We are disappointed to learn that the family have ongoing concerns and encourage them to continue their dialogue with us as we are fully committed to ensuring that all our pupils have a positive school experience."
Source: Mother's plea as daughter with Asperger's 'terrorised' by bullies
