Comments on: Church Bans Autistic Child

By: Len in WV

Len in WV — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:28:25 +0000

The church has to do what is in the best interest of the parish, not one person. If this was a public school this child would have more rights than the average person and get whatever his Mom wanted.
Fortunately his IEP does not apply at the church. For too long special education has driven the show in public schools and many of these kids are disruptive and destroy the learning climate for others.
That is why many public school teachers have sent their kids to religious and private schools because of the constant interruptions and discipline problems from special needs students. Also in regards to discipline a special needs kid has a limit to how many days he/she can be suspended for discipline purposes but a non-special needs child
has no protection like that. So much for fairness.

By: Mike Malone

Mike Malone — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:40:46 +0000

Sam,
The church has a room like you mentioned and offered it to the family. The mother refused it and will only accept being in the main worship hall with the rest of the congregation.

Brad,
The church is not asking the family to leave the boy out because of he has autism. It is because of his actions. He is urinating and spitting in the church. He has struck a young girl. He bumps into people, nearly knocking them down. He jumped into a car, started it and revved the engine, risking the life of everyone in the parking lot.
His autism is not the issue and what caused it has nothing to do with the debate. He might not be able to control his actions due to his autism but that does not mean his mother can make everyone else in the church suffer through his actions and make them leave because she refuses to take measures so his actions are not disruptive and endangering.

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:31:42 +0000

Just in case you are reading this, Good Morning Alisyn and Welcome Back! I hope you had a good vacation in Hawaii. JK.

By: The Gunner

The Gunner — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:26:10 +0000

I have worked with disturbed children since retiring from the Marine Corps. I have seen photo’s of this boy when this story first broke. Cannot comment about the boys behavior since I have not witnessed personally. However, people with this diagnosis can be uncontrolled in behavior. Could be very threatening for people not familiar with such behavior. This boy is over 6 feet and over 200 lbs. Could be very threatening to witness uncontrolled behavior….

I understand the church offered private religious support to family and they turned down. What is family’s goal, to make an issue or allow the boy to be exposed to religious teachings? I believe that Church services are a time for learning, sharing, and giving thanks. Would be very hard to do with a disruptive person negating the entire process.

I would say that the boy should receive private services (as offered by the church). Would recommend that the family pursue some other sort of purposful news worthy pursuit.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:26:38 +0000

Phew — I am happy to hear that Alisyn will be back Thursday. I got tickets for the F&F Mets game on Friday night and was very upset at the prospect of not getting to meet her!

By: joshua

joshua — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:33:15 +0000

i think that church is wrong. i mean isnt the church about accepting everyone? the church is very out of line and if i was his mother i would keep going and take my son

By: Sherrie in Michigan

Sherrie in Michigan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:53:58 +0000

Good evening, Hey Eddie it cooler where we are in Michigan today, high was only 60, were close to Lake Huron it can cool down in a matter of minutes…… I worked with special children, this young man is a child in a man’s body, it seems mom can’t control.. I agree you don’t put a child in a situation they can’t handle.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:16:12 +0000

I dont think that God would want this poor child to be left out because of his disability. Its not the families fault over what happened. Besides, we still dont know what causes this terrible condition. There are some that would argue that its from the mercury in the vaccines, but they havent found any proof of any such claims.

By: Audra

Audra — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:12:45 +0000

Thanks for all the great comments and thoughts everyone! Keep them coming!

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:12:34 +0000

Hi Aliysn… I think both are right, the boy has the right to attend and the church is right about thinking about other who are attending the service. I think they (the church) needs to provide a room (some churches do have that) for kids and for cases like for this boy so he can attend without disrupting others.
Thanks
Sam