[Closed] Autism and Blue Badges.

On a more serious note - are we sure it's intended for parents of autistic kids to be able to get blue badges?

I'd assumed it was for autistic driving licence holders.

I'm just very aware that this new ruling will be open to abuse by those who know how to abuse the system.

No, you aren't, you've just made that up in order to be outraged.

Try talking to someone who's seen the application process first hand. Like me, for instance. The entire process is stacked to make you fail, it's very, very difficult to get a PIP award let alone a blue badge. It's a ****ing disgrace frankly, and if a couple of chancers slipping through the system means that someone who genuinely needs help gets it then I'm happy to take that hit.

On a more serious note - are we sure it's intended for parents of autistic kids to be able to get blue badges?

A person is rewarded it they don’t have to be drivers.

That all sounds very familiar Trailwagger. Getting out the house is always 3/4s of the battle for us!

A person is rewarded it they don’t have to drivers.

Come again? Is there some autocorrect going on here?

No, dyslexia.

I'm not being sarcastic Drac, I'm not sure what your comment means.

The blue badge is for the individual, that individual does not need to drive.

chakaping - a blue badge is awarded to an individual who is deemed to meet the criteria for a blue badge. They do not need to be able to drive a vehicle to be given a badge.

If people thought about this for a few minutes they'd realise that a lot of people (but not all) who need to use disabled spaces to give good access to vehicles and to make getting to shops etc more accessible to them will be unable to drive because of the conditions they suffer from (which is what qualifies them for a badge in the first place) or their age.

Gotcha, thanks for elaborating.

Well I don't think we'll need to apply for one, so Zippy may be reassured that at least one family with an autistic kid won't be milking it.

Zippykona, people with autism often lack empathy and sympathy for others..............

have you thought about seeing a doctor, who knows , you might get a blue badge 🙄 😀

siwhite - Member

I've never seen a car park with all the disabled spaces taken.

Can I move where you live?
My wife is disabled (paraplegic) so we need to use the wider spaces to get here wheelchair down the side of the car and open the door wide enough.

Quite a few places we go we struggle to find a space. Coupled with the fact that some people who park in them clearly think that the hatchings form part of the space and just park anywhere on them rendering the extra width on one side redundant.

I do think that the blue badge system needs and overhaul - perhaps different colour badges for different spaces? We only need a wide space - doesn't necessarily have to be right outside the door to the store.

Can't really comment on the ADHD/Autism/Aspergers other than that I have a cousin with ADHD and friends who have a child with Aspergers - having witnessed meltdowns by both I can sympathise with those who have to deal with this on a daily basis.

My mum has just received her Blue Badge.... shitty eyesight brought on from chemo.

My mam has just got one too; chemo has caused nerve damage in her hands and feet so she really struggles to walk (coupled with the general damage caused by being on chemo for for 50% of the last three years). She waited far too long to apply for one.

dirkpitt74 - Member

Can I move where you live?
My wife is disabled (paraplegic) so we need to use the wider spaces to get here wheelchair down the side of the car and open the door wide enough.

Quite a few places we go we struggle to find a space.

We should convert all parent and child spaces to disabled spaces.
That way, people like you and your good lady wife would be able to park conveniently and at the same we'll remove some of the misplaced sense of entitlement that most parents seem to have whilst encouraging them to walk a little further and not turn into such fat little ****ers.
Win-win! 😀

zippykona - Member
My father in law was denied one after having open heart surgery for some unknown reason.

I vaguely think it's unlikely that you will get a blue badge for a temporary condition. A while back a friend was severely injured after a car knocked him off his motorbike but a blue badge wasn't available for the sort of recoverable injuries he had.

I have taught more than a few autistic kids over the years and I can see some virtues for the very severe . However I see why people object. But equally I object to some use of normal badges. In many places parking is banned for quite sensible reason eg sharp bend, busy town, narrow streets, lots of traffic. It bemuses me and proves the stupidity of the system when the only people able to park there are those less able to deal with the hazards. Often infirm or elderly and not very fast thinking. A well meant but badly thought through system. As to child parking spaces, well, if its private land then its up to the owner but I personally would like to see the spaces given to the elderly instead who whilst not able to get a blue badge still struggle to walk across a large car park with loaded bags. If parents cannot keep their kids under control the little gits should be left at home. No different to dogs.

As Shob says.

If parents cannot keep their kids under control the little gits should be left at home.

That’s not the reason they are there.

As to child parking spaces

But I do think there should be more clarity on when a parent/child space should stop being used. Is it when they are out of stage 1 car seats? Stage 2? Stage 3?

johndoh - Member

Ever tried getting a baby out of the back of a car in a standard space? Especially now cars are so damn big.

Buy a smaller car, or walk.

And how many people would be complaining at having their cars dinged by children opening doors in tight spots?

If the child is unable to successfully operate a door, it either needs better education or better supervision.
Or you could try walking.

Buy a smaller car

If the child is unable to successfully operate a door, it either needs better education or better supervision.

It's all cars, not just ones with children in them.

This makes no sense.

Or use the parent and child spaces to minimise the risk.

Walking minimises the risk.

This makes no sense.

Walking minimises the risk.

Stop biting Johndoh he’s not that good of a troll.

You're right. 🙂

I have very disabled son, PMLD with complex medical. He’s that poorly that blue badges, statments, special schools, etc where unfortunately very easy for us to get.

At the school he goes to there are also a lot of children on the spectrum, the more severe end, but by no means as tough as it can get.

When I speak to their parents and see how they have to live, I have nothing but admiration for what they cope with every day. Blue badges to them all I say and if the spaces are full, I’ll wait... unless you don’t have a badge in which case I’ll park behind you

This was being discussed on the radio when I went out at lunchtime. The short section I heard consisted of disabled badge holders calling in to say "my disability is more deserving than your disability" 😯

Yes it does - try thinking about it.

Ah, I see.
You're evading my

Buy a smaller car

misplaced sense of entitlement

In that context it does make sense.

Off to the shops now.
Think I'll take the bus. 🙂

[i]When I speak to their parents and see how they have to live, I have nothing but admiration for what they cope with every day. Blue badges to them all I say ...[/i]

This for me too.

I think people tend to see autism as 'has a bit of trouble relating to other people', 'can't cope in crowds'. Which is true for some people but there is also a group that are profoundly and comepletely unable to deal with interacting with the world to any significant degree.

People see drama's on the telly like that one recently with the autistic kid in and think 'why would he need a blue badge' but that's not the reality for a lot of children (and adults) or their carers.

I'd go as far as to say that actually as johnikgriff says that people who need a larger space for vehicle access are probably less 'deserving' of a parking space next to a shop (or wherever) than the carer of a significantly autistic child/teenager/adult that they can't leave at home alone but for whom a walk across a car park is a cognitive and experiential nightmare.

Think I'll take the bus.

Drac - Moderator

Stop biting Johndoh he’s not that good of a troll.

"Having a difference of opinion does not a troll make"
said sbob to the most antagonistic and disagreeable of mods.

[i]"Having a difference of opinion does not a troll make[/i]"

but perhaps continuing to take digs when it's clear the difference exists and will not be resolved does?

johndoh - Member

Don't forget the four kids

I don't have four kids as I am not horrifically selfish (or the father of quadruplets).

I wouldn't mind if the wider spaces were the other side of the car park and not outside the door - but that's not the same for every one.
My wife is paraplegic but also fairly fit and can get her self around town no problem - she walks our 7y/o daughter the 1.5 mile to school most mornings and isn't averse to the odd 13 mile hand cycle around lake Vyrnwy.

The problem is you can't cater for everyone - which is why perhaps a graded system would be better - but lets face it that would be non starter due to admin and assessing everyone.

wwaswas - Member

but perhaps continuing to take digs when it's clear the difference exists and will not be resolved does?

You should [b]definitely[/b] stay out of the EU thread. 😆

I'll admit that people who don't take responsibility for themselves are a pet hate.

You choose to have kids.
You don't choose for them to have disabilities.

I might get a flaming here but hey ho...

We should convert all parent and child spaces to disabled spaces.
That way, people like you and your good lady wife would be able to park conveniently and at the same we'll remove some of the misplaced sense of entitlement that most parents seem to have
Win-win!

I’ve often thought that parent and child spaces shouldnt be near the front door of the store like disabled spaces. When they fill up, people seem to overspill into the disabled spaces, and idle people will park in them anyway. Move the parent and child spaces to the far end of the car park where nobody ever parks I reckon, that keeps idle people out of them. You have children and need space so you don’t ding other people’s cars, not a disability, so you can walk another 50 yards or so.

I totally get why someone with a child with autism or similar would need to use a disabled space though.

I also think (from experience) that there should be temporary disabled badges available. I’ve broken an ankle twice and that leaves you as much in need of a decent space near the door as someone with a permenant mobility problem. I’m also due to have surgery on my feet, probably both at the same time, which will put me in a wheelchair for a few weeks...... hopefully we’ll get away with using the parent and child spaces but I see no reason why I shouldn’t be allowed to use disabled spaces until I can walk again.
Just a thought.... 🙂

If they also give the blue badges out to Tourettess suffers it will certainly stop the number of people being challenged over their badges for fear of a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse coming back at them...

said sbob to the most antagonistic and disagreeable of mods.

I'll take that as a win, thanks!

I’ve often thought that parent and child spaces shouldnt be near the front door of the store like disabled spaces.

Me too.

The argument is that walking across the car park is "dangerous." My counter argument is a) design the car park with walkways so that it isn't, and b) if a kid can't be trusted in a car park with a parent supervising then it probably shouldn't be out of the house.

Has some "most obnoxious poster" competition got under way? I missed the announcement.

There must be some sort of spectrum for someone who'd post such an unenlightened view of autism on STW and not expect to be attacked from all sides.

I'll take that as a win, thanks!

I disagree.

if a kid can't be trusted in a car park with a parent supervising then it probably shouldn't be out of the house.

Just collected my remaining not ill child from school and had to stop in the road after a small child (with parent supervising) ran into the road right in front of me (she got an almighty bollocking LOL). Kids are like this - this is why supermarkets plan for them and their parents.

slowoldman - Member

Has some "most obnoxious poster" competition got under way? I missed the announcement.

Me me me me - or do I have to try harder?

My son is autistic, you wouldn't think it really unless you spent some time with him as he can come across quite 'neurotypical' at times.

But he's got no common sense, he doesn't learn from situations - he's the living embodiment of the 'doing the same thing and expecting a different result' thing (its got a proper name but I can't remember it now) and he get's easily and totally distracted. He doesn't have meltdowns very often any more, unless I tried to make him eat something with sauce on, which is a big plus, but the stress of just trying to keep him safe is exhausting.

Luckily for us he's at the very high functioning end of autism, normal school, pretty much fully communicative now, but we used to take him to group swimming lessons and there were some much more severely disabled kids that would have needed a blue badge. Can't talk, wheelchair bound most of the time limited vision.

Saying that no one with Autism deserves a blue badge is retarded in the extreme, one kid in the swimming group was far more disabled than a young person with one limb missing.

johndoh - Member

Just collected my remaining not ill child from school and had to stop in the road

Why were you walking in the road? 🙂