General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy is asking if Barron Trump has autism considered mockery? I find that WAY more insulting.
Last edited Tue Jan 24, 2017, 06:56 AM - Edit history (1)
than simply inquiring or asking if he does.
So what if he does? I haven't suggested this, I can't really tell much from the little we've seen of him. But so what? Saying that someone has autism isn't mocking them. Noticing behavior isn't mockery. It is what it is. It's like saying he has Crohn's disease. If people said they thought he had Crohn's disease, or diabetes, is that mocking them??
What would be a shame is his parents hiding it. That would be a shame, because they could be an excellent role model for many parents and kids, and they could model that it is nothing to be ashamed of. I understand that it is a personal decision, putting that kind of info out there, but to hide it means they are ashamed of it. Kind of like the Kennedys with Rosemary, who hid her disability because they thought it was "embarrassing."
And I haven't heard of ONE person here mocking Barron. Do anyone really think we are like Limbaugh,mocking children???
EDITED TO ADD: It's really stunning how people dont seem to read. I never addressed whether this child has autism or not. I dont care. I care that so many people are accusing people here of mocking him, which is false. I addressed how so many here see it as something shameful. And wow! Was I right! So much fear and anger about even discussing attitudes about this.
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)Nor did the young man on the spectrum who posted the video saying he thought Barron was like him, which is when Rosie talked about it.
Trump's sudden anti vax views, like DeNiro's, came after he had a late-in-life child.
Being on the spectrum is nothing to be ashamed of.
unitedwethrive
(1,997 posts)money for treatment and prevention.
B2G
(9,766 posts)It's still off limits.
Do you really think he doesn't have a computer? How do you suppose he feels reading all of this speclation?
Just stop.
adigal
(7,581 posts)is EXACTLY what I am talking about. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and if he has autism, um, I'm pretty darn sure he knows that he does. Most of these kids are very smart kids!
B2G
(9,766 posts)On what planet are 10 year olds so enlightened as to not make fun of and bully kids that are 'different' than the mainstream majority?
But do carry on, because it's already out there for him and all of his classmates, friends and family to read and speculate on.
adigal
(7,581 posts)And they are generally a LOT nicer about it than adults. It is not a big deal to them.
B2G
(9,766 posts)adigal
(7,581 posts)Yes, I am very smart, but not smart enough to skip middle school.
I was actually bullied. But we need to stop treating autism like it's something to be ashamed of.
Thanks!
fleur-de-lisa
(14,616 posts)I agree 100%.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)Because if that were true you'd have at least some respect for HIPPA and the fact that IF someone has a disability they have the RIGHT to privacy and IF they choose to share their disability publicly it should be on THEIR TERMS and not because of a bunch of nosy gossip mongers on the internet.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)If you're not a caregiver of a person, you have no obligation, legal or moral, to not mention, speak about, speculate on, or discuss a person's medical conditions.
"Shit, I was going to warn that blind man that he's about to step into a manhole, but in doing so, I might be violating his medical privacy!! Oh Noes!!11!!"
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)But I'm human and not immune to typos.
Now that is out of the way...
It's not speculation to armchair diagnose a child you've never even met with a disability. That is gossiping. Gossiping is bullying and a bunch of adults bullying a child is disgusting. Those who engage it such behavior are just as bad as Trump, imo.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)Dorian Gray
(13,469 posts)The battle for the ability to gossip about a child's potential disability.
(Despite absolutely no evidence to the effect that he has a disability.)
Geez. The important things people fight to the death over on message boards.
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)is VERY different from asseting that anyone who chooses not to disclose their condition is ashamed of it - or prodding them to disclose by constantly speculating about it.
If you have autism, it is your right to disclose that to the world. It is not your right to shame anyone who chooses not to disclose (by accusing them of being ashamed if they hide it).
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)And it's been horrible for the kid. He's very isolated because they're ashamed of the whole thing and it's rubbed off in him.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)eom
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)B2G
(9,766 posts)And what if he is and his child wants his privacy respected and not become fodder for everyone?
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)kcr
(15,300 posts)for others to speculate and talk about. Otherwise they are hiding them in shame. They aren't entitled to privacy.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)And people here are not respecting that...and THAT is why they are all asses.
adigal
(7,581 posts)chance to help others. IF he is autistic, which I don't know that he is.
kskiska
(27,041 posts)on his computer about his father?
NotThisTime
(3,657 posts)reading all the comments, and don't say they've all been in his best interest. You are right, you do not know him, you don't know what a child will read, who may be at risk and may just push them literally over the edge. I'd say under most scenario's it's okay to ask, but this is not one of them. I think there's a horrible family dynamic between his mother and father, likely between him and his father... just let it be.
adigal
(7,581 posts)They locked Rosemary Kennedy up for shame...I hate that this is something that is spoken of as embarrassing. I don't think the child should be the poster child for autism, if he is, unless his parents are comfortable with disclosing, which Trump would NEVER be. But I hate that he may be told to not tell anyone, it is the family embarrassing "secret."
NotThisTime
(3,657 posts)what damage we do, I agree with you in almost every case, but not in this particular case with that man as the father. You have no idea what he does to the kid. Just leave the whole matter alone, Trump will never change and until that kid is out of his grasp he's not safe.
astral
(2,531 posts)"""""but not in this particular case with that man as the father. You have no idea what he does to the kid. Just leave the whole matter alone, Trump will never change and until that kid is out of his grasp he's not safe."""""
There is no basis for stooping to this level. All I wanted to comment on earlier was YES LEAVE EVERYBODYS KID ALWAYS OUT OF THIS CESSPOOL TALK. But now I've seen too much.
kcr
(15,300 posts)between being told something isn't and shouldn't shameful or embarrassing and there's no reason to hide it, and telling people not to shame and embarrass others. That because something is used to shame and embarrass doesn't actually make it shameful and embarrassing. There is a clear and distinctive difference, and maybe impressive degrees can't help everyone see it.
Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)and then locked her up for shame. let's not leave out the most important element of that story. Or is that something that we're ashamed of, as it happened in a family that was a scion of our own party? Anyway, I don't think they can legally do to Barron what they did to Rosemary, thank God.
I just love how DU is going all Bill Frist with the long distance diagnostics.
Whether he is or not, and whether his family is ashamed or not, is really none of my business. Kid's got enough on his plate as it is. It's all just mindless speculation anyway. Maybe he's just a shy ten year old from a profoundly dysfunctional family, with a raging narcissist for a father. Maybe it's the father we should be focusing on.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)It's ableism buried in concern for the child.
democrank
(11,052 posts)adigal
(7,581 posts)democrank
(11,052 posts)Pathwalker
(6,597 posts)he may or may not have? What positive purpose is served by violating his privacy so publicly? Speculating about the health of a total stranger, and a child, at that, seems most invasive and rude. He's only 10 years old, and not responsible for the monster that is his father, so let's not punish him unfairly for it. JMO.
adigal
(7,581 posts)Pathwalker
(6,597 posts)autism itself, and leave this TEN YEAR OLD CHILD out of it?
tblue37
(64,982 posts)time I saw him I thought what a beautiful child he is.
Dem2
(8,166 posts)Talk about a waste of time and energy. Forget the kid.
leftstreet
(36,081 posts)Thanks
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,273 posts)leftstreet
(36,081 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,273 posts)I almost Luca Brasi myself.
Blaukraut
(5,689 posts)that we don't even need to go anywhere near the kid and the wife.
That's my opinion too!
kcr
(15,300 posts)Which is why I think it's best not to ask that question so openly of other people generally speaking. That's a question that's better left to parents and professionals and other people closer to the individuals in question. People with Autism are routinely mocked in a way that other conditions aren't, not in the same way, so it's not quite the same thing to question those conditions. It can be hurtful and have consequences in a way it doesn't for them.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)appleannie1943
(1,303 posts)days, many people still hid children like that from "polite" society. Thankfully, most people are past that way of thinking now but every once in a while I can see that someone is uncomfortable around Michael, as if his mental slowness might rub off on them or something. When he was a baby, before his plastic surgery, some old lady on a street car told me I should keep a blanket wrapped around his face so people did not have to look at his ugly face. I stood up and in a slightly louder voice than normal told her that my baby was beautiful because beauty starts on the inside and that is why she was an ugly old bitch. A lady sitting across the aisle applauded and told her to go sit somewhere else. You don't see that sort of thing now but if you have a child that has problems, you should explain them to people so they don't misjudge their behavior. Also, if you are going to be a public figure, you should take your child into public events so they can be more comfortable in those types of setting. Keeping them isolated is not helping them at all.
adigal
(7,581 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)I just love that you informed that woman about what she was. You sound like an awesome mom.
JudyM
(29,122 posts)Bless your heart, and your son's... he's lucky to have you for a friend and parent.
Wash. state Desk Jet
(3,426 posts)or it seems he may have some sort of impairment. I have not heard any mean spoken words about that,more concern.You may have noticed certain signs given your field down the avenues of your field of study.There is no shame I agree only other peoples stupidity. Actually I was talking to someone in New York yesterday and the subject came up. I think in time we will know more whenever Trump is ready for it. There is also nothing wrong with a 10 year old being a kid like any other.
Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)It isn't necessary to ask about a child's health especially over social media. It's disrespectful. He is an innocent little boy. Would you ask someone on the street if their child was autistic?
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)Also, almost two months ago this "question" (aka GOSSIP) was answered by Melania's lawyer.
As the parent of a child who was diagnosed with disabilities at 9 years old I am outraged by this gossip. Although the family has said Barron does not have autism...IF he did it should be HIS decision to make that known publicly on HIS OWN terms and not out of a bunch of nosy internet busy bodies ignorant behavior. I saw my own child bullied over her disabilities to the point where she was suicidal. This child's life is NONE of your damn business or the business of anyone else. People need to LEAVE HIM ALONE!
See below:
"This law firm represents First Lady-elect Melania Trump and her 10-year-old son, Barron Trump. A video was posted at YouTube recently speculating that Barron might be autistic. He is not. The video includes the hashtag StopTheBullying but yet the video itself is bullying by making false statements and speculation about a 10-year old boy for the purpose of harassing him and his parents. The online bullying of children, including Barron Trump, should end now."
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a8383175/melania-trump-barron-trump-video-lawsuit/
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)That's what makes it off limits. It is none of our business, and (even though it should not) it does impact how one is treated in the world.
Disclosure of medical conditions is not shameful, but once disclosed cannot be undisclosed.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I announced it to my coworkers, asked for their assistance since I was heading into a very heavy work period, the treatment protocol was unknown, and the success of what I do impacts our ability to recruit new students. My choice. I could have made a different one (as a former boss did). I am an adult.
There are consequences to "coming out" about a health condition.
My care regimen barely impacted my ability to work. I took a grand total of 3 days off, and could have carried out all of my duties completely unnoticed. Because people were aware, more of my autonomy was stripped than I was comfortable with - and decisions were made by others in order to avoid bothering me that the summer program never recovered from.
I'm now up for my bosses' job. A co-worker (ostensibly someone involved in makig the hiring decision) has openly wondered whether I am healthy enough for the job. (Despite having worked 60 hours a week throughout the entire treatment period, and despite the inquiry being blatantly illegal.)
I did NOT disclose the new cancer scare because of the open wondering about whether I am healthy enough.
Hiding it has absolutely nothing to do with being ashamed of it - I hid it because I weighed the potential benefits and consequences and decided the second time around that the consequences of disclosure outweighed the benefits. Hiding a medical or mental health condition does not inherently mean shame - any more than the few times I have chosen not to disclose that I am a lesbian means I am ashamed of that aspect of who I am.
It is offensive to suggest that silence = shame, or that anyone with a disability or a health condition has an obligation not to hide it.
Especially when there is a child, parents need to be very cautious in making on their child's behalf, an irrevocable decision to share, mental or physical health conditions. No one has an obligation to be a role model. It's none of our business. End of story.
NoGoodNamesLeft
(2,056 posts)This has nothing to do with anyone being embarrassed or ashamed about anything. It's about people having the RIGHT to medical privacy...just like women should have the right to privacy regarding their reproductive health.
People need to leave this child alone and stfu about him and the stupid gossip. It's ignorant and abusive and violates his rights.
Blecht
(3,803 posts)I'm singling you out here -- it's nobody's fucking business.
adigal
(7,581 posts)mikehiggins
(5,614 posts)He'll be going into puberty in the White House. Now THAT is rough.
WillowTree
(5,325 posts)Whether he is autistic or not is none of anyone's business. If I had to guess, I'd say that he appears to be a shy boy who's being thrust into a very public situation that he never asked for and which seems to make him terribly uncomfortable. Aren't we supposed to be caring and compassionate? Why can't people just leave him the Hell alone?
onenote
(42,383 posts)if it had been asked about the child of any other president.
We had a great time here mocking republicans for diagnosing terry schiavo's condition. But now some folks think that they're capable of recognizing potential autism traits based on a few glimpses of a ten year old on tv at an event that would be overwhelming to plenty of kids.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)its sad.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)an invasion of his privacy.
He is only 10 and deserves to have his privacy respected.
jeanmarc
(1,685 posts)Just leave the kid alone. Don't use him for any issue.
Thanks to threads like this, I know now about why we have 3 or 4 leave Barron alone threads. How hard is it to stop talking about some 10 year old kid who hasn't done a thing?
adigal
(7,581 posts)I didn't address whether he has any condition. I just addressed the attitude toward autism here.