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jrknothead
Phoenix
Joined: Aug 04, 2007
Posts: 900
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida USA
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 Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: Autistic Boy and Mom Kicked Off Plane |
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Autistic Boy and Mom Kicked Off Plane
Bastids...
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The lives of the wicked should be made short.- Sweeney Todd |
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lisa81
Phoenix
Joined: Jun 07, 2008
Posts: 615
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| sick f**** |
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JerryHatake
Kumdo Practitioner
Joined: Jul 02, 2006
Age: 20
Posts: 8690
Location: Woodbridge, VA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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That is just not right at all. I bet the parent will do something for an apology and will caused a change in policies in all airlines.
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Jerry
"No one is the same you can't compare yourself to other people because everyone is different" - Michelle
"Everything happens for a reason, no matter how hard that is to believe sometimes, it is so true!" - Michelle
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Danielismyname
something something
Joined: Apr 03, 2007
Posts: 5370
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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It happens. I can see how a child rolling around on the floor screaming and wailing uncontrollably gets to people; I had the same reaction several times when I was younger, and all that people could do to stop such was give me my way (sedatives didn't work).
If the child wanted off the plane, and that's what caused such (the "meltdown"), I'm glad he got what he wanted, rather than a mother forcing him to stay on. |
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penny07960
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 10, 2008
Age: 44
Posts: 154
Location: US - right coast
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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I sympathize with the mother. Mothers of autistic children have a lot on their plates. For many it is a 24/365 task that offers few rewards.
I also agree that the flight staff acted like a bunch of insensitive jerks.
But… I have also been on 5+ hour flights with some screaming child is sitting three feet away; it is truly torture. Earplugs don’t do much to block frequencies in the human-voice range.
I wonder is there is some safe, medically-approved way to calm the child before the flight. Maybe the makers of valium should be marketing Tranquil Kid.
Marketing could be interesting: “A medicated child is a well-behaved child!” “Tranquil Kid – not just for kids, it works on your husband too!”
Hmmm… “throwing a birthday party with 20 screaming children? Make Tranquil Kid Icing a part of your cake! Available in several popular flavors!”
Yes - I know: very cold.
P.S. Danielismyname - why do you say seditives don't work? They sure work on me. |
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Danielismyname
something something
Joined: Apr 03, 2007
Posts: 5370
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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You'll find that many Autistic individuals have a natural tolerance to sedatives, and when one is in "panic mode" with said tolerance and the high level of anxiety added together, and you can't safely sedate a child. Some have the opposite effect however.
On many occasions people tried to sedate little Daniel, it did nothing (Valium). The only thing that calmed me was getting my way, and you'll find the majority of Autistic children are like this (getting their way that is; we're stubborn people). |
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penny07960
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 10, 2008
Age: 44
Posts: 154
Location: US - right coast
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Danielismyname wrote: | | You'll find that many Autistic individuals have a natural tolerance to sedatives... |
If that is true, it is an interesting observation. Sedatives like Valium work by blocking (or activating) specific receptors. If they don't work on AT folks, that would seem to suggest that brain chemistry, not merely brain structure, is different |
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Danielismyname
something something
Joined: Apr 03, 2007
Posts: 5370
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Chemistry was one of the first known differences in Autistic individuals (Kanner's Autism, i.e., the aloof child); blood serotonin levels were elevated.
Also, the eMedicine page on...Autism Spectrum Disorders notes the higher sensitivity to drugs by those with an ASD compared to "normal" people. There are [scientific] articles around mentioning the natural tolerance to sedatives [and alcohol] that those with an ASD can have (this fits in with me). From eMedicine:
| Quote: | | As a general rule, autistic children seem to be more sensitive to psychoactive medications, so the adage of "start low and go slow" with every drug trial is particularly applicable to this population. |
Much like with everything in ASDs, we seem to be in the extremes of certain things, whether it's intelligence (cognitive pattern), reactions to sensory stimuli and/or drugs. Whereas I for example, can't be sedated easily, another with Autism can be sedated easily. |
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LTP
Raven
Joined: Jun 14, 2008
Age: 16
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Much like with everything in ASDs, we seem to be in the extremes of certain things, whether it's intelligence (cognitive pattern), reactions to sensory stimuli and/or drugs. Whereas I for example, can't be sedated easily, another with Autism can be sedated easily. |
That explains a lot about my reaction to certain medication. I seem to have an extreme tolerance to benzodiazepine. I was prescribed xanax for anxiety and it took a lot to dull things (2.5mg+ with no tolerance). My shrink confused this with drug seeking attention and cut my prescription at a really really bad time in my life. I also seem resistant to some general anesthesia I have had three different procedures requiring the anesthesia and on all three occasions I needed injection after injection+oral medication+gas to be put to sleep and remember the doctors telling my mother about it. |
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Peko
Butterfly
Joined: Feb 13, 2008
Posts: 17
Location: PA/USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Autistic Child and Mom kicked off of Plane |
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I think that the staff on the plain were definately a bunch of insensitive jerks. And it just wrong that they can kick a child off of a plane because of thier disability. 
I would have tried to give the child Benedryl before the flight. I know a bunch of you said that sedatives don't work on a lot of Aspies. But they worked for me when I was five and knocked me out. 
Basically I would have tried to give the child something to knock him out (or her). Than had them wear Earplanes (these amazing earplugs can be a lifesaver!).  Also bring something to preoccupy the child and possibly gum as well. |
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KimJ
Legend in my own mind
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 2538
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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I just watched this story and figured it would be posted here. I have two opposite opinions on this subject-flying with toddlers/autistic toddlers. The first is that the mother described two opposite scenarios in which her son reacted differently. The first flight (which was cancelled) had helpful people/staff and her son stayed calm. The second (when they were tossed off) had unhelpful people, in fact the attendant may have actually contributed to his meltdown by tugging on him. Why go out of your way to make a miserable child even worse? Sounds like a power-tripping staff person who enjoys hurting others and gets off on kicking people when they're down. This makes me feel that the airline staff was totally out of line and not abiding by ADA standards.
On the other hand, I never flew with my autistic toddler. We took him once as an infant and he was fine. It was a real pain the arse though, travelling with all that baby stuff and having to change diapers in the airport toilets. This was before 9/11, btw, when you could take whatever with you and there weren't so many restrictions.
However, when he was clearly a different toddler, there was no way I'd take him on a plane. It would be miserable for everyone, especially my son. I couldn't take him to the grocery store without getting verbally abused by strangers. I just don't see the point. Yes, we missed out on some vacations. But that's life. Can't always get what you want.
So, I see all sides. Except for the attendant's side. She sounds like a big "B".  |
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rjay09
Blue Jay
Joined: Jun 11, 2008
Age: 20
Posts: 85
Location: West Chester, PA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.yahoo.com/s/906483
I like how American Airlines's statement says that they were removed because 'they refused to comply with an airline attendant's request to stow a carry-on bag properly.'
Nice spin there. Nice. I mean, who wouldn't abort a takeoff for that?
Makes me sick.
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AnonymousAnonymous
More Riddler than Joker
Joined: Nov 24, 2006
Age: 18
Posts: 6216
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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What the f**k is wrong with NTs these days?
Dumb bastards gave what the poor child wanted.
Poor mother having to deal with sh** every day. 
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RainSong
The Argumentive Lunatic
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 4175
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't feel sympathy for them.
The last time I was on a plane, there was a little boy screaming at the top of his lungs because he didn't want to wear the seatbelt. The attendents tried bribing him, first with words, then with treats; they tried turning to his mother (who was useless); finally, they tried threats. Nothing. That child screamed for over an hour; we didn't know when we would have an opportunity to take off, so he needed to be strapped in until then. Guess who was one row behind him? Me. Guess who was two seconds away from screaming as well? Me. In turn, he set off another child screaming too.
If you note in the article, the mother says that the boy didn't meltdown until she started crying. She should have learned to control herself; naturally, it would upset him. She said the first flight was cancelled while they were in the runway, so the flight attendents could afford to let him walk around and not wear a belt. However, the ones on the second flight could not; they were set to actually go. They couldn't do such if someone, especially a child, was not properly restrained, and that includes have a fairly decent seatbelt, not one hanging to your feet.
I can think of no rational reason to subject the rest of the passengers on that flight to continued screaming, as well as the delays that were bound to come from such. Just because they did not have a diagnosis does not mean that they should not be considered as well. Ultimately, if the mother refused to stow her bags correctly and set her son off into a meltdown, they should have been removed.
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KimJ
Legend in my own mind
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 2538
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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I think it was much more than mom cried and baby followed. I guess people will select what parts they want for their point. But the mother said it was a cycle of the attendant coming over and tugging on the child, who was wearing a belt. Maybe the mother should have been "stronger" but to what extent? Why should she put up with being harassed like that? What else was going on? I mean, her first flight had already been cancelled because of those cheap airlines. Her travel plans were already screwed with. I know for a fact that would have messed up my son.
So, the pressure gets to her and she cracks and you're gonna blame her?????!
Sorry but I've been on plenty of planes with crying babies and no one blinked. I think people are just getting way too freaked out about noise on planes. |
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