Last evening, while strolling through a nearly deserted mall with my two youngest children, I observed a group of five girls trailing behind us. We had just exited a movie and were in high spirits, making our way to meet my older kids. Stopping briefly to take a photo at a fun cutout scene, I noticed you all giggling and enjoying your time together. As a parent of teenagers, I understand the camaraderie that can blossom among young girls in such environments.
However, I noticed that as you approached, the distance between us began to close. My son, who was adjusting his earbuds as he listened to music—likely Disney songs or tunes from The Fresh Beat Band—lagged a bit behind. If you had known him better, you might have recognized that he isn’t a typical 13-year-old. His unique way of moving, particularly his tendency to run on his toes, likely seemed odd to you, especially given his height.
The echo of your laughter suddenly morphed into something more contemptuous. I felt compelled to turn around, and in that moment, I witnessed one of you imitating my son’s movements, which only intensified the mockery. My children, blissfully unaware of the shift in my demeanor, continued walking. I took a few steps back towards you, and I could see the mood change on your faces—guilt washed over you as you realized you had been caught in the act.
I confronted you with a statement that I can’t quite recall verbatim, but it was something akin to, “My son has autism. I hope you’re not making fun of him.” Your defensive responses—stuttering denials—made me question myself briefly, but then I remembered the scene I had just witnessed.
I chose not to say anything more and returned to my children, relieved that my son was blissfully unaware of the exchange. As we walked away, I reminded myself that you are just kids, perhaps nice girls most of the time. One of you impulsively decided to mock my son, while the others followed, lacking the courage to speak against it. I had to remind myself that you, like my children, have families that love you and possibly face challenges of your own.
It’s possible that in your environment, making fun of differences is perceived as innocent fun. My son attends a small school where he is accepted and supported by his peers. Had his friends been with him, they would likely have stood up for him more than I did.
Reflecting on my reaction, I can’t help but wonder if confronting you was the right choice. In thirteen years, I have never witnessed anyone mocking my son before. How does it feel to have broken that streak?
Should you become mothers one day, there’s a possibility that one of you may have a child with a disability. While I wouldn’t wish that upon you, if it were to happen, I hope you remember this moment. I hope you never have to face the pain of watching your child be bullied and remember the time you laughed at someone else’s expense. The weight of that realization could be too heavy to bear.
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In summary, the experience at the mall highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who may be different from us. We must strive to create a more inclusive environment for everyone, especially for those with special needs.
Keyphrase: Mocking a child with autism
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