Labelling children.

Totally agree Doodle

Autism is manifested in so many different ways and each autistic person is an individual with their own particular personalities, coping strategies etc. Some autistic people are prescribed appropriate medication by medical experts, some are not. Some show a level of "something different" about them that strangers pick up on, some do not. For a young child, the people most likely to know the best way to support them in a public situation
are their parents, and presumably this mum had very good reasons for choosing the lanyard method!
Autistic people are not people to be medicated into societies norms! They are individuals who need support in order to live happy settled lives just like everyone in society.

Doodle

That is so sad, it must break your heart, why are people so nasty?

Nana3
The OP mentioned that the child wore the lanyard. Why would the mother wear one as, if her child was separated from her, people would be none the wiser about his/her behaviour?

Oh granny it’s so sad sometimes. Why are people so cruel to others.

Doodle - it's the vulnerability that tugs at the heartstrings of friends and family isn't it?

My DGC is autistic. He is beautiful, caring, loving. No visible meltdowns but vulnerable. Perhaps the “normal” unmediated children who have made his life hell for years should wear labels saying “ I am a “normal” sadistic little sod who likes calling others names, hitting them, excluding them and saying words to them that I should be ashamed of”. I would be happy to see them medicated EllanVannin

To answer the question, yes, it is now quite 'normal' for parents of children with autism to alert the general public and the emergency services that their child needs accommodations to be made in certain circumstances. Some children with the condition are non-verbal, some have no sense of danger, some can't bear to be touched, some have sensory overload.... I could go on. I am very involved with a child for whom the alert card has been an absolute blessing to her parents.

Many local authorities publish their own Autism Alert Cards for use by adults and certain police forces do too. My friends, parents of an autistic child, have a car sign, a lanyard with alert card and a bracelet for their child.

it might not be a meltdown
No, it could be for any reason which the mother may have felt advantageous.

I would think she knows what is best for her child.

In my first hand experience the parent wears the lanyard not the child.
I agree with your post grannyqueenie.
I'm shocked by many of the comments on this thread.

Some children, who don't have any of the labels we now have for different behaviours, might have a meltdowns which is simply a tantrum.

How can we differentiate?

I have never, in my lifetime, known society to have such a range of unseen disabilities and mental health issues which generate a plethora of acronyms.
I wonder why.

ghink think
thst that

I can't ghink thst I would ever have liked a child of mine or, nowsdays, GC or GGC to be 'labelled' in such s manner.

Would people who are deaf, dumb, have ADHD or autism like that sort of labelling? I think not.

Suppose there was a situation in which a child choked or accidentally got strangled by the lanyard. Daft things happen and it could end up being serious.

There are 'Autism Alert' cards which can be carried in a wallet and also ones in case people get into some sort of trouble with the police or get lost.

it might not be a meltdown . If the child is non verbal &/ or 'own world' but gets separated from mum it would help. Maybe on the other side was a contact number. Every parent needs to do what they feel will protect their children. A couple of shockingly ignorant comments here!

EllanVannin I'm pretty sure that if there was medication that could control autism, the parents of autistic children that I know would be absolutely jumping for joy. Perhaps you'd like to tell us the name of this miracle drug so I can share it with my friends.

As for the OP, it's possible the child has a form of autism which means he is non-verbal. The back of the card may have had contact details on it in case he got separated from parents or carers.

I'd guess that this child has had meltdowns in the past and this is just a way the mother can inform judgmental people.

I know of an adult woman with autism who highly values her yellow autism lanyard during her commute to the city. It's enabled her to have support when necessary. She's perfectly compus mentis but can become overloaded sensorily in crowds.

Sodapop

I’m inclined to agree with you, personally I don’t think I would feel very comfortable about it, but I’ve never been in that position, and if I was, I may feel differently.

It’s easy to judge, but maybe she just gets sick of explaining

As others have said, labelling a young child in this way can seems like an extreme measure. However reading through this thread serves as a reminder that judgemental and out of date attitudes sadly are alive and well even in today’s society. Individual parents have to opt for the strategy that works best for them, after all they know their own child’s strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities better than anyone else.

Sorry to use such a vulgar tetm, but absolutely gobsmacked by the post from EllanVannin

EllanVannin You cannot medicate autism out of a child.

Having been in public when GC had a serious meltdown and been on the receiving end of asides and knowing looks a lanyard or T shirt would have helped.

As GC is older we get looks because they will be in a restaurant with iPad and earphones, they are not being ignored or just “plugged in” it is a valuable coping method.

EV again!

I was thinking about Jamie Bulger when I made the remark could he be more vulnerable if parted from the mum

I understand what you are saying about people seeing if he has a melt down etc but many kids two, three and more year olds have melt downs and I still don’t feel really comfortable with labels like that but each person would have to make there own decision
I can just imagine it happening with all ‘differences’