It Was Against the Health Policy

Today, we went to the library.

It’s the same library I used to visit as a child. I’ve taken the boys several times in the hope of instilling a love of reading.

Milo, my eight-year-old son with autism, was having a difficult time — nothing new — but I was taking care of things.

I sat with him at a table in a corner of the children’s section while my six-year-old son, Linus, selected books nearby.

Just seconds after I snapped this picture, a librarian approached us.

I looked up from the child-sized chair to give her my attention.

“He can’t take his shoes off,” she said. “It’s against our health policy.”

I hadn’t even realized he’d taken his shoes off.

I looked under Milo’s chair and, sure enough, his tennis shoes were on the floor.

“That’s fine,” I said, “but he has autism, so it might take a minute.”

She repeated, “It’s against our health policy. You need to do it as soon as possible.”

I lowered myself onto the floor and started slipping the shoes back onto his feet.

I was feeling tense about her watching me, so I mumbled, “Are kids with autism not allowed in the library or…?”

She frowned. “Do you want me to get my supervisor? She can explain it to you.”

I laughed a little and said, “That’s the last thing I want you to do.” She walked away and Milo immediately took his shoes off again.

Something like this happens almost every time we leave the house. My boys are well-behaved.

I supervise them closely. I don’t let them “run wild.” Still, we seem to get approached every time we are in public.

It’s not always easy for this introverted mama.

Written by, Heather Cadenhead

Heather Cadenhead is a mom of boys, homeschool teacher, and autism advocate. She writes about nonverbal autism and homeschooling on Instagram.

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