People who stare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Sometimes I stare for a few seconds because my kid is staring and asking what's wrong with your kid and I'm figuring it out from watching before I quietly tell her (along with telling her not to stare).

2. Sometimes I stare if I'm stuck physically close (like in line, or next restaurant booth over) and worried I'll get hit if I don't keep an eye out, but I generally try to use peripheral vision for that so I'm NOT staring.

You can't "figure out what's wrong" with someone from a few seconds of watching, and trying to explain someone else in that manner to your child is pretty offensive. Please stop staring.

Sure you can - you can see if it's muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc.

You can look at someone across a restaurant and in a few seconds diagnose muscular dystrophy? That's pretty amazing. Why do they put kids through invasive testing to get that diagnosis then?

[Anonymous]

Part if it is that movement attracts attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Sometimes I stare for a few seconds because my kid is staring and asking what's wrong with your kid and I'm figuring it out from watching before I quietly tell her (along with telling her not to stare).

2. Sometimes I stare if I'm stuck physically close (like in line, or next restaurant booth over) and worried I'll get hit if I don't keep an eye out, but I generally try to use peripheral vision for that so I'm NOT staring.

You can't "figure out what's wrong" with someone from a few seconds of watching, and trying to explain someone else in that manner to your child is pretty offensive. Please stop staring.

Sure you can - you can see if it's muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc.

PP, you don't need to figure out what a stranger has. Stop staring.

Also, I can't imagine someone talking about a stranger to their kid in a public place, "Oh, he has FAS because his mother drank to much during pregnancy."

You're trying to "figure it out" to satisfy your own curiosity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Sometimes I stare for a few seconds because my kid is staring and asking what's wrong with your kid and I'm figuring it out from watching before I quietly tell her (along with telling her not to stare).

2. Sometimes I stare if I'm stuck physically close (like in line, or next restaurant booth over) and worried I'll get hit if I don't keep an eye out, but I generally try to use peripheral vision for that so I'm NOT staring.

You can't "figure out what's wrong" with someone from a few seconds of watching, and trying to explain someone else in that manner to your child is pretty offensive. Please stop staring.

Sure you can - you can see if it's muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc.

You can look at someone across a restaurant and in a few seconds diagnose muscular dystrophy? That's pretty amazing. Why do they put kids through invasive testing to get that diagnosis then?

Another SN mom who is laughing my head off at the notion that you can diagnose from across the room. Good grief you are full of shit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blah. Just a vent. Took my kids to a restaurant for lunch. One of my kids, he's 10, flaps his hands constantly at his head; he can't help it. At least 3 grown ups at different tables are staring. I'm merely venting. I've becoming SO much stronger, not much gets to me. But every now and again I am aghast at grown ups who should know better. And the lady who stared and then tried continually to get my eyes and give me sympathy look. Arghh! I wanted to fling my food! Just wanted to enjoy our lunch, focus on each other but blah. Okay I'm done.

Get up, walk up to them and tell them there's a fee to pay if they want to continue staring. They'll be so embarrassed they'll stop.

That's what an acquaintance of mine who has a child with Down's syndrome does, and it works.

[Anonymous]

I think some small amount of looking at someone who looks different is a natural human thing that's hard to control. But past 2 seconds or so when your adult brain is able to remind yourself. "Don't stare, self!" it's totally rude. Sorry you encountered some of that, OP!

[MaxwellSmart]

Next time give them something to stare at! When you catch them, subtly hold up a small handheld sign that states "ASD, educate yourself!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blah. Just a vent. Took my kids to a restaurant for lunch. One of my kids, he's 10, flaps his hands constantly at his head; he can't help it. At least 3 grown ups at different tables are staring. I'm merely venting. I've becoming SO much stronger, not much gets to me. But every now and again I am aghast at grown ups who should know better. And the lady who stared and then tried continually to get my eyes and give me sympathy look. Arghh! I wanted to fling my food! Just wanted to enjoy our lunch, focus on each other but blah. Okay I'm done.

Get up, walk up to them and tell them there's a fee to pay if they want to continue staring. They'll be so embarrassed they'll stop.

That's what an acquaintance of mine who has a child with Down's syndrome does, and it works.

I'm sure that's embarrassing to the child. Wow