“As a parent of an autistic child i can assure you that parents do not just say their child is autistic to excuse their behaviour! to get a diagnosis of autism the child has to have various assessments and tests to confirm Autism which can take years and is very distressing for both parents and child as its hard to understand why they dont behave or react like 'normal' children until you get that diagnosis. to try and reason or tell an autistic child to behave while their having a meltdown is almost impossible because the child retreats into their own world where only they exist and where its safe so anything u say they either dont hear or cant understand this is because of their condition. What excuse do some of these readers who have commented have for their lack of understanding or compassion its sad that in this day and age there is still so little understanding of this condition!”

“As the national charity for autism education, TreeHouse knows that despite autism affecting one in 100 children in the UK, the low level of public understanding is causing families affected by the condition to feel self-conscious, isolated and judged. We know that some families even avoid going to public places and taking part in local activities. Autism is a lifelong neurological condition which affects a child¿s ability to communicate, socialise, and relate to others. But by talking about autism we can improve understanding and make a start on giving children and their families the support they deserve. Visit www.talkaboutautism.org.uk for more information and our online community for all those affected by autism.”

“My 4 year old son has a form of severe autism called Kanners, which causes significant developmental delays.
He will need 24 hour care and support for his entire life. He is unable to undertake even the most basic of tasks, eg feeding himself, dressing himself etc. He will most probably be in nappies his whole life as he has no awareness of when he is wet or dirty.

He is nonverbal and his specialists believe that he will never talk.
As I'm sure you can imagine he gets greatly distressed very often, partly through not being able to communicate his needs. He is dependent on routine and the slightest change to his daily 'rituals' can be very frightening to him.
When he is confused or scared he adopts coping mechanisms, which appear bizarre to people who dont know him. One of his most used methods is short squeals used in repetition, or clenching and unclenching his fists.
I have no doubt that others will see him as a naughty child from his unusual behaviours.
Autism, especially in its severest forms is a very challenging disorder which has huge effects on families.
For the first 2 years of his life, he would vent his frustration by trying to bang his head against walls and floors and hurt himself, which was heart breaking to see him so distressed and unhappy, but not knowing how to help him.
I have becomed so dismayed by the looks and utterances my son and I receive when out in pubic, eg supermarkets etc, that I feel unable to go anywhere with my son.
He also was very scared of buses, and would cry and screech. I no longer take him on buses, however realise that the bus is often the only mode of transport available to people.
I can thoroughly understand why people have the perceptions of autism that they do, as it is a disorder that you only really learn about if your life is affected by it, and sufferers look 'normal' so people instantly presume the child is just naughty and out of control.
I am extremely proud of the little things that my son achieves on a daily basis, simple things like trying to hold a spoon, or holding my hand when walking. For me and my family these small achievements are akin to 'normal' children passing exams and getting jobs etc.

I believe I am a reasonably strict parent, my son understands when i say no, and he will stop when told, however when he is distressed and carrying out one of his coping mechanisms, he is in a world of his own, and I doubt he can even hear anything said to him at the time. It is very difficult to try and discipline children who can only understand a handful of words and who cannot understand other forms of communication, eg body language, facial expressions etc.

I understand arguments from all sides, how are people meant to know if a child is autistic and not just a naughty child? Short of wearing a tshirt declaring the fact it is very difficult. Personally, I do mention that he has autism if he starts having an episode in public as I know its difficult to tell otherwise and the only way to increase understanding is to inform people of how the disorder effects people and spread a little awareness”

“why should any mother have to tell every person she meets that her son is autistic and has ADHD?! how degrading would that be for the child and mother!”

“ADHD is like Tourette's syndrome. The more people hear about it, the more people crop up claiming they or their kid has it.”

“People who contact newspapers so their photos and moans get them publicity, make me sick.
I don't know if the child can read, but reading about the incident in the media isn't going to help his situation.
The mother should have had a word with her son, not the driver, who in the circumstances stayed calm.
Well done driver.”

“C, Lincoln says 'a little understanding goes a long way'.Hpw true - had the mother explained to the driver that her son had these conditions, maybe he would have been understanding instead of wanting to slap him around the head like probably most of the other passengers on the bus.”

“LOL (in my mind) 'American-speaking countries'. Just like Portugal is one of those Brazilian speaking countries eh? How many times a week do you have to fetch over-priced water to tranquilise the paranoia my friend?”

“OK, I'm off topic, but I really wish c, lincoln all the luck in the World, with her two little ladies.”

“I was on the bus at the time of this and it wasnt just one ring (more like 4 million and pretty much let do as he pleased), Also that bird sat in front of me was well fit and the driver is a very decent well mannered man! A credit to stage coach!”