What is the Problem?
It was not that long ago that a teen beat up a boy with autism while others recorded the beating to post on social media. You can read my thoughts on that here. Now another group has targeted another teen with autism. In some ways it is worse. The boy who wanted to participate in the ice bucket challenge was doused in human waste instead of ice water. You can read about it here. I have not watched the video (nor will I) as the story is disgusting enough.
My first reaction is pure anger. I was looking at my son yesterday who is a teen with autism and I realized that there are people out there that are more than willing to do that or worse to him.
My second reaction is confusion. Why is this happening? What is the problem here? What is going on?
- One possibility is that this is just another manifestation of modern bullying. There was bullying when I was a kid but it looks so different with smart phones and social media.
- It could be confusion about autism. Some high functioning people with autism just seem like quirky kids and such kids have always been the target of bullies. I have a cousin who I’m sure has (undiagnosed) Asperger’s and he was bullied far more than I ever was.
- I hope that this is not the case but it is possible that people are targeting those with autism. Because of communication difficulties, they can be easy to lure into bullying situations. Trouble with universalizing can mean that they can be caught numerous times by the same people. The desire to be accepted can make them especially vulnerable. Those who are nonverbal can be in danger of not reporting what has happened.
Although there have been only a few high profile cases of bullying those with autism, I fear that it will only get worse. The reporting of the stories may even inspire others to copycat these crimes.
The only answer is to respond with very strict penalties. Society would never tolerate someone targeted for harm or humiliation because of race. Society should be just as intolerant against those who target people of any disability. As parents of those with disabilities, we need to be a loud voice.
