A recent report coming out of Maine involved an incident in a diner. Parents allowed a toddler to cry for a lengthy period of time. Eventually, the diner’s owner reacted to the situation with alleged aggression and abusive language.
Not having been there, it would be hard to weigh in as far as who was responsible for such an unfortunate experience all around. Clearly, it is a challenge to operate a successful business and it is often equally difficult to parent effectively.
Though possibly completely unrelated to the incident in Maine, this is an opportunity to raise awareness of the increasing presence of families who love and care for autistic children within our communities. A frequent autistic struggle is not being able to express needs and feelings verbally. Obviously, this can be frustrating and isolating for everyone involved. Venturing into public to enjoy normal socialization can require a great deal of courage.
When a perplexing situation involving a child’s behavior in a public venue arises, any reaction coming from compassion seems a better choice than responding with judgment or anger.
