how messed up is this?

Question

my younger brother has mild autism(meening he can talk normal and all,but he has a few of the characteristics)and today my friend was goofing around about autism because she had to do a report on it in a class saying how "stupid"they are and stuff like that(btw..she didnt know he was autistic)and then i finally said something and she was all "oh,well....."and didnt really know what to say,but it made me sooo freaking mad i wanted to like serioulsy start crying;(like i love my little brother(hes 6) and i just dont see why people think it is so funny to make fun of these kids..im 15 and i dont think its funny!!!!!

lucy...that is soooo true!!

Answer 1

Okay, here's your chance to really step up and do something really right. Go to the teacher of the class the girl needed to do a report in.Tell the teacher what happened. Tell the teacher you would like to talk to the class about your brother. Go in there and say because people don't understand about his condition, people can really be rude and sometimes out and out mean. I'm sure you know more about the problems faced by families with an autistic family member. Explain it is a problem that causes different grades of autism in different patients. You can tell them how lucky you feel because your brother can communicate, but you are just as upset that there are people who don't know any better than to laugh at them or think they are mentally challenged. Most autistic people understand and know the right responses, in fact many are very intelligent. Their condition prevent them from being able to communicate it to others. It's like having all the circuits for a computer, but they are all hooked up in the wrong places, which prevents it from working right.
If the girls teacher won't let you, talk to your own teacher. When I was in Junior High my best friends brother had epilepsy. They couldn't control it like now. He would have a seizure once in a while and the kids would get scared, or they would laugh then tease him about it latter. Mary went to his teacher and asked to speak to the class. She explained it and after that no one teased him about it, and they were no longer afraid they might catch it. Your friend needs a lesson, I think you talking to her class will give her the lesson she needs and at the same time you'll be teaching others who may find themselves either with a family member or friends family that has someone in their home who is autistic. Don't let ignorance of others get to you, get out there and teach them. I am so glad you wrote in, you sound like a very caring brother and he may not know it but he's a lucky boy to have you there for him.

Answer 2

I know what you are saying... It's a sign of immaturity on behalf of your friend, she is still young and probably hasn't had to deal with an autistic person, therefore, she may not understand their condition and only knows one way to react to something that is different from 'normal', unfortunately that is to make fun of the condition.

This is a common reaction for teenagers, and it's only because they don't know any better. All you can do is make sure that she understands that you don't appreciate her comments such as this, and when she grows older and mentally matures, I have no doubt that she will change her ways and of course regret what she said when she was 15.

Just put it behind you and be thankful that you have the understanding and maturity which many of your age don't. Hope this has helped.

Answer 3

The same thing happened to me a few months ago. I just started high school, and my brother, who has mental problems (I wish there was a nice way to put it) is still in school even though he's 6 years older than me. (He goes until he's 21.) Before this, I never talked about it with my friends unless I was really close to them and felt that they wouldn't be rude about it. However, now that we were in the same school and everything, I couldn't just pretend he was at college or something. (Yeah, it's lying, but it's so much easier than dealing with explanations. and everything.)

Anyway, a friend of mine, whom I haven't known that long, was in one of his classes and started making jokes about him. (She didn't know this was my brother.) I shrugged it off like it didn't bother me, but I know I probably should have said something. Luckily, she apologized a few days later, and everything is cool now.

I think that if it comes up again, you need to say something. Don't get mad or anything, just try to explain it as best you can. If she's a good friend, she'll understand.

Answer 4

well you are talking to young kids that have not experienced this and they know nothing about this disease. that is why they say that. when one doesn't know anything about something they make jokes and stuff its sad but the way of life. there are big people that do that to. unless you have been in someone shoes you will not know. so therefore you are abit more grown then most and have extra eyes for things like that surely they will grow up and realize its not funny but may take some time. you just meanwhile sit and be alert and listen to those dumb people take care.

Answer 5

tell her its not funny and that they can do anything
that people without autisum can it is just harder for
them i mean heather from americas next top model
has autisum yet shes there and doing great!!

Answer 6

i feel for you

i think you should confront your friend tell her what you feel and also tell her its really messed up to make fun of people who are less than her/less fortunate.


~

Answer 7

id slap that b*tch