Here’s my EntitledParents story since I don’t know how reddit works
So, a year ago I used to work in a hotel/conference centre as an Event Supervisor, and I’m autistic. That’s relevant to the story because this one time we had a group come in for a conference about helping your autistic child, and it seemed to be one of those rare groups that actually get it right, which was a huge validation moment for me.
I’m standing by the door, welcoming people in to dinner on the first day, most people ignoring me (it’s hospitality, what are you gonna do). Enter ED. He had a child with him, about 6 or 7.
We had no children registered for the event.
My manager and I do a head count of the ~50-60 people and, sure enough, we’re up one. So it’s only the beginning of the evening and I’m running around trying to set an extra place at the table people are already sat on, and telling kitchen we need a kid’s meal prepped, which they are understandably pissed about. But it’s fine, and dinner goes smoothly. Cut to after dessert and I’m just finishing up clearing tables with the team, and the rest of them go on break while the manager deals with the admin of the extra kid, and I’m just hovering making sure that everything is going smoothly inside (I had my break earlier). They’ve started some speech or seminar that I was half paying attention to.
The same kid from before, who is clearly bored, gets out of his seat and bolts it across the room to me, and starts pushing at the staff-only door. He’s being quiet and non-disruptive but he’s still not allowed in there so I’m gently persuading him to go back to his seat, which he does.
Not two minutes later, kid returns with ED.
ED: excuse me, my son would like to go in there.
Me: Ah, I’m sorry sir, but we can’t allow anyone into the staff only area. It’s company policy, and there are health and saf-
ED, raising his voice: Then you can let me go with him!
Me, trying my best to be polite: Unfortunately sir, we can’t let *anyone* through the staff area.
ED, now shouting over the speaker and her microphone: Excuse me? My son has never done anyone any harm and he deserves to do want he wants. And he’s autistic! Do you have any idea how hard it is to raise an autistic child?
I don’t remember if, by this point, the speaker had stopped speaking, but a good amount of the other people were now facing us and staring.
Me, regular volume: No sir, I’m sorry, I don’t know what it’s like to raise an autistic child. I am autistic myself, but this doesn’t mean that your child or I are exempt from the rules.
ED, horrified: And they let you have a job?
I am told by my manager who walked in at that moment that the whole room gasped, but I can’t say I noticed.
ED: I want to speak to your manager.
My manager said something along the lines of “Absolutely, sir,” and led him away, telling me to go take 5.
I was later told that he was kicked out of the conference, which I have no reason to doubt, and that the speaker used me as an example of autism not being an impairment, which I somewhat doubt, but I digress.
