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mmoshimer
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Joined: October 18 2009
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| Posted: October 18 2009 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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Hi. I was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder when I was 11 years old. I am 22 now. I was abused by my teacher all through fifth grade, so when it comes to talking to other people which have loud voices, I get scared. My mom lets me walk around the mall because I like to walk, (I put the headphones on to avoid the sound of all the people). Recently, though, my trips to the mall have been less than fun. I was walking, and some people I know that have caused trouble with me in the past (from school) happened to be in the mall with me at the same time, had noticed me, and were trying to catch up with me. I got scared that something bad might happen, so I went into the arcade. Big mistake. Flashing lights and even though I had my headphones on, I could hear all the machines going at all at once. I got even more scared, and ran and hid behind a machine. Then a security guard came and asked me to leave. Instead of listening to him, i started to walk again. And tried to call my mom for help. My phone didn't work. No Signal. If I left the building, my mom would be upset. More Security came. And then the police show up. I didn't really do anything wrong. They told me that I was banned from the mall for a whole year, and that if they see me there again, I would be arrested for trespassing. They did not explain why they wanted me to leave, or why they were banning me. They just kept saying to me and my mom "Private Property, we dont need a reason." Me and my mom believe that they have discriminated against me because of my disability. I would like to know if there is anyone out there with any legal advice, and if it is legal for them to do this.
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lovec55
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Joined: June 16 2009
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| Posted: October 18 2009 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
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I am not sure but I don't think that they can do that. I will ask my husband who is a lawyer to look it up and get back to you.
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Sonia Mom to Manny, Aedan and Araceli
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lovec55
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| Posted: October 19 2009 at 6:32pm | IP Logged
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Well from what I got, it depends on the state if the mall is considered public property or private property. From what I get your state is private property and can ban you from entering their property. But, that does not always mean that you can not try to get the appropriate people involved to fight their decision. I would have your mom contact the security for the mall and explain the situation. They probably thought that you were trying to mess with the arcade machine and so they punished you for that. If you were banned and they are sticking to this I would demand that the kids that were terrorizing you also get banned because that is not right for them to be let go without any consequences.
Can I know what state and what mall you were in? That was very rude of them to disregard your attempts to find out what you had done. Uggh, things like this make me so mad  How are our kids suppose to feel equal and secure when ignorant people do not take the time to find out the problem.
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Sonia Mom to Manny, Aedan and Araceli
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woodsman25
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| Posted: October 20 2009 at 6:34am | IP Logged
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Hmmm... interesting story.
Im on and off, very buissy life these days, but I try to take some time to read situations I can in some way relate to.
The mall thing is tough, I definatly understand your feelings, but I have also a few times been in a position of authority in past jobs and can definatly see how having a young women running around the mall by herself and hiding behind a video game system would raise a few flags. He probably thought you had started a problem with this group of kids and to avoid a fight its just easier to throw someone like us out then the rest of thr group, as we definatly stick out of a crowd and cause we may not have the social skills to have allies with us so we are just the easiest factor to cast away to end the problem.
Been their enough to know, the trick is, and it took me a lifetime to learn this, but in order to stick out the least you gotta conform to the rules of society as best you can in any situation.
Do you know why this group of kids even targetted ya? I mean we are not in middle school anymore, collage aged kids arnt supposed to act like children? How do you know they didnt just wanna catch up?
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DX'ed with HFA as a child. Nowdays what I have would be called AS.
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andone
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Joined: January 14 2009
Location: United States
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| Posted: October 22 2009 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
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I give you a lot of credit for going to the mall and being able to do taht.
It freaks me out to go there as it's too many people in one place so it's one of the places i try to avoid for me. Too much going on there at once, too big there and all.
After the year is up they'll let you back. Maybe you can find another place to walk around for now? It's unfair the police and security never asked or listened to your side of the story. Maybe if you listened to the first security guard and told him your story instead of walking away from him it would have had a different outcome? I really give you a lot of credit for being able to go to a mall like that..
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yinky
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 7:07pm | IP Logged
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So how are you coping now? Since it's almost a year now, you probably are going back soon. Word of advice, carry your id with you, " Living with Autism" they are more accomodating that way, and keep the music down to allow you know what is going on around you. Also, let the attendant know when you step inot the mall, they know you already, if your friends come around they know they are the trouble not you.
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yinky
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jemimainoregon
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 8:27pm | IP Logged
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I am sure that there are legal avenues that you can take to avoid being banned. I can relate to the way you felt by thinking about the way my son would respond. I am sure you were very overwhelmed by all the input, and I feel for you. I bet you really wanted your mom to be there! I feel that many times, adults living with autism are not taken seriously because they don't appear that "different". I am glad that you were able to look back on the situation and see what triggered your discomfort!
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10 year old HF
5 year old NT
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Autism-PDD Message Boards : Autism and the Law
Topic: Banned from Mall
