Mother of autistic children deals with reactions in public
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
The behavior of autism patients can be hard to deal with in the home, but for one mother, it can be even harder in public.
Playtime at the Fergusons' has its calm moments, but mother Christine Ferguson knows the behavior of her two children with autism can change in an instant. When it happens in public, Ferguson said strangers can be less than sympathetic.
"They perceive it as this is just an undisciplined child, and they feel that it's OK to say something," said Ferguson. Ferguson said it's especially hurtful when people say unpleasant things directly to two-year-old Paige and three-year-old Tyler.
Leaving the scene is not always an option. "If I left the store every time my son did something or my daughter did something, I wouldn't have groceries or clothes," Ferguson said.
When she took Paige to a hair salon, Ferguson was on alert. She said normally Paige screams and kicks, but none of that happened on this outing, and Christine credits the positive attitude and acceptance the stylists showed her daughter.
Three stylists worked with Paige, and now she loves the salon and wants to come back. "Just to know that it made the difference for someone, it definitely helps motivate you to keep doing it," said hair stylist Christy Bishop.
Ferguson said it is the type of treatment and care everyone deserves. "Everybody in the world wants to be accepted," said Ferguson, "and everyone wants to know that it's OK to be who they are."
