Between Spectrums

Allowing Them to Places

So I woke up at six this mourning, not by an alarm this time, and I was checking on Facebook and I found this in what's trending.

In a recent production of "The King and I", a kid with autism started to yell. As the mother tried to him the other other theater goers started to murmur "Why would you bring a child like that to the theater". Now disturbing a play by yelling would really be rude. But you have to understand that sometimes kids with autism don't quite know how to control their emotions yet. That's what this Broadway actor understood. Kelvin Moon Loh, who was part of the play when it happened, wrote a post on his Facebook page saying that he sympathizes with the mother and praises her courage for taking her son to the theater. And seeing how the audience being insensitive to the situation, he wanted to them to relax and she's really trying. He knows how expensive getting a Broadway ticket can be but he also knows that life doesn't stop because you're wanting to watch a play. He hopes that his post will bring awareness of parents who have children with special needs and that they and their kids have the same right to enjoy the theater like other people. He's getting his wish now, because his post currently has 9,000 shares, 25,000 likes. It's inspiring a lot of people and may it continue to do so.

It's not just the theater that those with autism can go to. When I was serving as a missionary, the ward I was assigned to had a member whose daughter is a full-grown woman but jumps up and down, claps, and shouts with joy and excitement. The mother sits her down and the meeting still continues. Now the members aren't bothered by this because they know them and they understand that the daughter is special and they don't condemn her for that but they appreciate her and her mother coming to church so they too can feel the spirit. Whether it's the theater, church, restaurant, concert, museum, any place should be welcoming to those with autism. For what ever reason they should feel welcomed and accepted. And who knows they may find they choice of career in any of these places. 

If you want to see what Loh has to say in his post, check out his Facebook page.

Thank you for your time

Tay Gallagher