So I haven't blogged in a while as things have been a bit crazy, so I am glad to get back to it. Living with a physical disability, I belong to groups, read blogs, and am actively involved in the disability community. In the disability world, there is the physical disability community, and the mental/cognitive disability community. Since the challenges of each are different they are separated into these two groups. There are times that the two mix together, and that is when it comes to inclusion. When you have a disability, whether physical or cognitive, finding things you can do and going to places can be challenging, because places may not be easily accessible, especially for kids.
Today, many areas have special needs parks for children who have a disability whether they are in a wheelchair or not, so they can have an opportunity to go to the park/playground like non-disabled children do. When I was younger, special needs parks were not around like they are today, and I can tell you I wish they had been. Parks and playscapes were a challenge for me because climbing, running, swinging were harder for me. I loved going on slides but climbing them was hard, and after a while I got tired and couldn't really enjoy it anymore, and our trips to them began to lessen. One of these new playgrounds would have been a great thing for me and others like me. With these special needs parks emerging those in the disability community, both those with physical and those with cognitive/mental disabilities, have been happy because it seemed there is finally a place where all of those with special needs can go and can feel welcome and not judged.
Recently, a story that has gone viral in the disability community and featured in news outlets raises the question of whether those with cognitive disabilities be allowed at a special needs park. The question arose when a mother of a son with severe non-verbal autism allowed an incident to happen at a special needs park. The boy run's, darts, and is known to roll around on the floor and push other kids and throw things at them. He was on the playscape at this particular park and while rolling around kicked a little girl causing her to fall down a slide, though apparently not badly hurting her. The autistic boy then laughed and started running around enjoying himself.
The girl's parents were very upset, and spoke to his mother who explained that her child had severe non-verbal autism, and that he didn't understand that was not appropriate and that is how he plays. The girl's parents felt that he shouldn't be at that park because he was pushing, running, rolling and kicking, clearly with the potential of hurting other kids.
The boy's mother later posted a blog and video about the incident expressing sorrow that her boy kicked the little girl and apologized profusely to her family, but said she didn't know what to do because her boy didn't know it was wrong and that the way he behaves is caused by his autism. This is why they go to special needs parks and thought that those at the park would be understanding. Her post caused a lot of waves throughout the disability/special needs community.
After hearing about this story and seeing the mother's blog about it, I went to my grandparents and mother, who have both been around those with physical disabilities and as well as those with cognitive disabilities, and asked what they thought of the situation. Given the fact I have a physical disability, I asked them what would they have done if a child with a severe cognitive disability had done that to me when I was younger.
Their response was similar to others whom I had talked to about this question. Although we are so sorry that this woman's child has this severe cognitive disability and has these behaviors that can't be controlled right now as part of his disability, it doesn't mean he can go around pushing others and using the disability as an excuse.
I understand that those with disabilities, both physical and cognitive, have a hard time finding places that are accessible and have things that they can do, so they are excited when they find such a place. The challenge is that the needs of those with physical disabilities and those with cognitive disabilities such as autism are so different since some of them can be physical with their behaviors that putting the two together can be a challenge.
While the autistic boy deserves to go to the special needs park because of his disability, children like myself and others also deserve the right to be there without worrying that a child who can't control behaviors will harm us. The girl that was kicked may have not been hurt, but what if it was another child who could have broken a bone or received a concussion? I understand that this woman cannot take her autistic child to a lot of places because of his aggressive behavior, but she thought that a special needs park was a safe place to go. However, your child, even though he has a disability that limits his ability to know what he is doing is wrong, should not be around others, especially those who have physical problems, who can be seriously hurt by what would be something minor for most people. Special needs parks are for those with special needs, but incidents like these really bring out the question: should special needs parks admit only those who won't do harm to others, even though the behaviors that cause harm is due to their special needs and something they can't control?
Note that this is a burning issue in the autism community today. What do you think?
