ilster wrote:
One of the problems, from a parents point of view, is that if you restrain your child (particularly kiddies on the spectrum), chances are they will throw a magnificent tantrum. You then have the problem of a screaming, wailing, thumping mess - also annoying everyone around you. If you proceed to discipline, the situation will escalate, and people around you will be VERY, VERY angry. If you use my technique and walk away (ignore), the parents in the (now very interested and annoyed) crowd become outraged, because in their day they would have ......
So you see, apart from just not going out (which is my prefered option), sometimes the most peaceful way to shop is to allow your child to roam and be a little adventurous, hopefully with a smile on its face.
I agree. Not going out with my (Aspie) eldest for extended periods is usually the easiest but allowing limited capering is the best compromise, as he gets progressively louder and refuses to move if pressured. Add a grumpy toddler and a totally hyper six year old girl to the mix, and you have a recipe for people to be annoyed by us. Tough. People who judge those with noisy/undisciplined children need to bear in mind that not all children are amenable to following instructions or may be easily overstimulated, and in public they have a captive audience to play up to.
Try putting yourself in our shoes those of you without kids who judge us, and experience the frustration.
dunc