Sick of people treating me like a kid (rant)! !!

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Today during Day Program I went to a local gas station to buy a fountain drink along with some snacks but I get chastized by one of the program staff named Bruno because he thought I had too much stuff and I tried to get a cheap 1 dollar fashion doll since I collect them

He got mad and said if this continues I cannot go with him anymore!! !

You know the classic Nintendo 64 video game "Starfox 64"?

Where Andross or Star Wolf said "Can't let you do that Starfox!! !! !!"?

Well that's what this felt like since Bruno HUMILIATED me!

Then earlier at another store I tried to grab a few free samples but the cashier coldly said:

"Save some for other people"

The thing is, there was NO sign outright stating or specifying that there was a limit to the number of free samples you could take so how was I supposed to know?

I'm not a mind-reader!! !

Having a sign or note would have prevented this but I am just SICK AND TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE A KID and I don't know what it's going to take to make people start seeing me as an adult?

Marriage, motherhood and a job/career perhaps?

I just needed to vent so sorry if the post is really long!

Don't worry about small things like those. It must be part of their job to tell people off all the time. Like the free sample thing. I've seen people taken more than one all the time and it's not a big deal. Next time ask them if it's OK to take more with a smile and I doubt they'd say no. I've gotten all sorts of things for free before because I asked nicely.

^having a sign stating that there is a limit to the number of free samples you can take would have prevented this!! !

As for Bruno and the other problematic staff at Day Program if they are going to just continue to mistreat me then I WILL complain to Renee (the boss)!

Just as I thought, once I told Renee what happened she got MAD!! !

She is looking out for my best interests!

Sweet Pea hugs

Yep, when there's a bowl of mints, a bowl of candies, or free samples, etc., take just one. It's sort of a test to see if you have class. I failed this one myself in big way once. A friend's house had a bowl of "free" candies on a coffee table. I took like 8 of them (the bowl had like 40), thinking I'd save some in my pocket for later. Big faux pas! It went badly!

I suggest you come out of any sweet-tooth habit sooner than later, even though it's a "cheap" sort of vice

And on the other side... you shouldn't not take one...
With free samples this seems to be ok but when anybody offers something...
Yes I do like chocolates (would be so much better to just lie and say 'ehw' but they know I sometimes eat only chocolate at lunch), no I don't want any (also sort of not true). "I'll leave it here if you change your mind" so it will be there making fun of me for the rest of the day (I know you want to be nice, trust me... you'd know if i didn't... Probably would just accept and 'not be difficult' but could become noisy too...).

Take one.

If you want more, ask.

Not only at a store, but when visiting someone's home. If they offer you a cookie, take a cookie. If you want another cookie, then ask. And don't be a hog.

A few years ago, a friend of mine was taking his son out to get something to eat and then go to a movie in a town about 50 to 60 miles away. A classmate of the son was there and so he got invited along, especially since his family wasn't very well off (they spent their money on recreational drugs instead of their son). They had a good time. When they got back, the classmate hung around a few minutes and then took off. Later, the friend of mine and his son were going to eat some cookies but couldn't find the package they had bought. It turned that the classmate took the package with him when he left.

The friend of mine never invited his son's classmate to go with them again to the movies again. If the classmate hadn't been a hog, he would have received invitations to go with them to the movies and to grab a bite to eat about once a month.

Like the son's classmate, you humiliated yourself.

Yesterday at Day Program I made a very reasonable request to get a soda across the street at the pizza parlor because the supermarket we went to just has Starbucks coffee and Jody even said it was okay but Mike who is one of the staff didn't want to walk for 2 MINUTES to get me a soda!! !

He said it was because he had to keep an eye on everyone but I think he was just lazy!

The only person there who is actually allowed to freely wander around without much restrictions is my friend Bob who would DEFINITELY help me out with getting a fountain drink but unfortunately he wasn't there that day

Otherwise I would have just walked there myself but I don't have seniority yet...

Blunt, straightforward reply: If you want people to stop treating you like a kid, then drop the day program and get a part time job. If you're unable to work (try EVERYTHING possible), then still drop the day program.

I'm autistic but able to work. But if I were not able to be employed, I would NEVER get in a day program. A day program is literally a babysitting service that Medicaid pays for. Why would you ever want to be in a situation that lasts all morning and afternoon where someone is telling you what to do, where to go, who to sit with, what not to buy, etc.?

Don't get me wrong; I think DPs are great for lower functioning adults. I've been a direct support professional, so I know all about DPs. Most DP participants are incapable of holding down a job; many need supervision with handling money, even using a restroom. Some can barely speak or not speak at all; they're like big children.

But a very small percentage are like, "Why are THEY in a day program?" In fact, some DP participants (though very few, actually), have part time jobs. I've known a few who had their own cars, too!

But if your DP is making you feel cramped and like a child, then drop it and do what typical adults do who have a lot of time during the day: HOBBIES. What do you enjoy doing? Spend the time you'd normally be at a DP, exploring your hobbies and passions.

One of the women I worked with constantly complained about her "other" DP. I said, "Have you ever considered just quitting it and going out in the community yourself?" (She was able to independently navigate public transportation and conduct retail transactions; very high functioning). She said she had one day off per week of DP. Well obviously, that wasn't enough becauuse she always complained.

Maybe drop back to one DP per week and see how that goes? Or two maybe if you crave the cameraderie of other DD adults? But then, you'll have to accept that with that comes providers who treat you like kids. (I've never treated my clients like children, never!).

Same. I have been infantilized even during my late teen years. I feel some of my supervisors and co-workers talk down at me like I am a little girl. Hopefully once I advance in my future skilled career I finally receive respect.