Summerside man with Asperger’s Syndrome speaks out after being insulted while working

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me)

Dylan Allen has something he’d like to say to a Summerside boy who recently yelled insults at him.

“Man up and stop being a bully. Find other ways to try and be cool and impress your friends.”

Allen, 27, of Summerside, has a type of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome and is a client of Community Connections, a non-profit that provides various kinds of support for people in the Prince County area with intellectual challenges. He is part of the organization’s employment outreach program, part of which involves delivering utility bills door-to-door.

Allen was delivering near the intersection of Walker Avenue and MacEwen Road on May 17 when he passed a group of teenage boys. One of them, he said, yelled at him: “Hey you F***ing handicapped retard, mail isn’t a real job. Go get a real job.”

Allen said he was shocked at the outburst. He’s been delivering bills with Community Connections for several years and has never been verbally attacked before.

He didn’t confront the boys at the time, but thinking about the incident after, Allen decided he wanted to say something publicly.

He likes his job, he said, and nobody deserves to be insulted like he was.

“I just basically want to get the message out to anybody out there that is a bully to stop being a bully. Man up. Turn yourself around and be a nice guy for once instead of the opposite. People might actually want to be around you.”

What happened to Allen is distressing, said Frank Costa, executive director of Community Connections.

The employment outreach program does a lot of good in the community, not only for the employers, but also the clients, who develop skills and friendships.

“That’s what disappoints me,” said Costa.

“There’s a lot of positive outcomes with all these jobs being in the community. This is one of those unfortunate things, but it’s really atypical. A lot of our clients we work with are well received in their jobs.”

Allen is hoping to put this incident behind him, and get back to the work he enjoys.

He hopes his story will help others understand how hurtful their words can be and for those who do experience bullying to tell someone about it and get help.

It’s the only way anything will change, he said.


@JournalPMacLean

Source: Summerside man with Asperger’s Syndrome speaks out after being insulted while working

 

[Mia]

Considering how well I know the island, it's not terribly surprising that it happened to him. But its unfortunate. PEI doesn't have that many services for autistic people, and many of the island's residents have not lived outside their own small communities. It's a bit like living in the early part of the century there, not very much has changed since then.

 

[Judge]

Considering how well I know the island, it's not terribly surprising that it happened to him. But its unfortunate. PEI doesn't have that many services for autistic people, and many of the island's residents have not lived outside their own small communities. It's a bit like living in the early part of the century there, not very much has changed since then.

Such a comment makes me ponder whether or not any perceivable minority of any kind is tolerated on Prince Edward Island in general if geographical and social isolation impacts them in such a manner.

Though I can also think of a few communities in the US, while not so profoundly cut off from the rest of the world have people of this nature who are incredibly condescending towards anyone not of their race, creed or national origin. Who carry on as if time and social progress had come to a screeching halt within the confines of their local community.

 

[MonolithImmortal]

a non-profit that provides various kinds of support for people in the Prince County area with intellectual challenges.

This line really bothers me. Aspergers/Autism is not an "intellectual challenge". Yes intellectual difficulty can be co-morbid, but we are not intellectually challenged because of our Autism.

Ok, I'm done cringing.

 

[Judge]

This line really bothers me. Aspergers/Autism is not an "intellectual challenge". Yes intellectual difficulty can be co-morbid, but we are not intellectually challenged because of our Autism.

Ok, I'm done cringing.

Good point. Yet another manifestation of ignorance, but at the level of local journalism.

Which forces me to go back and reflect further on what Mia posted which may be well beyond the scope of a stupid teenage bully. Informative, but disturbing as well.

 

[Mia]

Up until 1993, the island could only be reached by ferry. Since the building of the bridge to the island, some aspects of it's culture are changing. Everyone but islanders are from 'away' no matter how long you have lived there.

Recently an entire community of Amish families has moved to the island.

 

[Joel's Hear]

In my opinion an autistic man of his caliber shouldn't have to have a menial job but should be provided for in a better way, and given a real job he'd enjoy. A menial job, however, seems perfect for a loud-mouthed teen with too much time on his hands.

 

[Questella]

Mail isn't a real job? Seriously? The teenager is the xtard, lmao. Definitely better he didn't confront him at the time, they could of turned violent. I hope he can laugh about it later though. Dumb kids probably living off his parents anyways. But seriously, why do people have to suck so hard? **facepalm

I'm honestly a little afraid this teen would see this and come at him again with more rude remarks to show off to his punk friends. :< If it becomes a thing again hopefully he can get them for harassment before something stupid happens.