April 18, 2019

Boy Forced to Wear Fluorescent Bib so Teachers Know he’s Autistic

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A London woman has sued her son’s school after claiming it made her autistic 7-year-old son wear a fluorescent safety vest on the playground.

Why wear a vest you ask?

So the students and teachers would know that he was autistic of course.

The mom of a seven-year-old boy has launched legal action against his school after she says he was forced to wear a fluorescent bib so teachers would know he was autistic.

Joanne Logan, said she had launched the case so that other kids like her son Charlie aren’t singled out as “different” from their classmates.

Joanne said her son was made to wear the vest during break times so teachers could keep track of him.

(Photo Credit: SWNS)

When I read stories like this one, I try to understand.

Maybe the teachers had kindness in their hearts. Maybe they were trying to keep him safe. To make sure he didn’t dart into a road. Or get picked on by other children.

Maybe it was to keep the other children safe.

There could be so many reasons I guess.

But it’s not okay. At least I don’t think it’s okay. Dressing him differently, to signify his disability, is discrimination.

This sets him apart from his peers. Puts a label and target on his back. And embarrasses him.

I like to think I am a pretty reasonable mama. I am down to earth. I like creative solutions. But this just seems wrong to me.

Following the meeting a decision was made that Charlie would no longer have to wear a bib.

‘We need to stop singling out disabled kids,’ says Charlie’s mother.

What do you think? Thoughts?

Charlie

Joanne’s 4 handsome sons

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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2 Comments

  1. Carmen on April 18, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    Wow- Sometimes I feel as though we’ve taken a step backwards 100 years. No words.



  2. Ginny on April 19, 2019 at 7:25 am

    Making him wear that oversized vest(it’s called a safety vest; not a bib!) is wrong……I don’t know what they were thinking. I’m assuming they were concerned for his safety, but there methods were wrong, I agree.