Wacky Hermit:
I don’t think that Katherine was speaking about or to parents of Special Needs children when she wrote this article. I have two children with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder and I didn’t feel that Katherine was speaking to or about me in any way.
However, this article DOES serve as a warning to all parents that we must be vigilant about the “Nosy Nanettes” and the “Betty Busybodies” in our society that would use the power of the State to try and force us to care for our children the way they think is best.
We parents of Autism Spectrum children are PARTICULARLY vulnerable to these types of people as our children are not OBVIOUSLY “disabled” like, for example, Down Syndrome children are. I can tell you that I have gotten more than one dirty look from other parents when I am out shopping with my children. Although usually people back off when you utter the word “Autism” there are plenty of people who still have no clue what you mean.
Regardless, we need to fight against the “Helicopter Society” in America. Many thanks to Katherine for this insightful article.
