Upset and offended by article

I am writing to you in relation to Tony Humphreys’s article in the Feelgood supplement on Friday last.

As a parent of a son recently diagnosed with Asperger’s, I was upset and offended by the suggestions he made in his article.

I feel that it was irresponsible and unprofessional to print those unfounded views of autism and parents of autistic children. It is archaic and reminded me of when Temple Grandin was diagnosed back in the early ’60s.

His views will be damaging to the autistic community as a whole. It is difficult enough to accept and explain the condition, never mind now having someone in the public domain saying it is in effect the parents’ fault that their child is this way.

I could go on and try and justify why my son is the way he is, but I don’t need to justify this to anyone. I am just appalled that this article was allowed to go to print at all.

Frances O’Callaghan

Knockmonalea

Youghal

Co Cork