A mum has penned a now viral Facebook post, hitting back at the airplane passenger who shamed her young autistic daughter when she had a meltdown.

 

Yep, as if this mum didn’t have enough on her plate, a passenger actually turned around and said, “Shut that child up”.

 

Mum Nicola Colenso didn’t lose her temper at such a blunt request and instead politely explained the situation – but to no avail. The woman then repeated that she was “sick of the noise and can’t you just shut her up!” before resorting to expletives and calling Nicola’s partner a pr****.

 

“Dear Lady on the Manchester bound flight from Ibiza yesterday!” wrote Nicola in the shocking post.

 

“We are sorry our daughter stopped you from getting your beauty sleep but clearly she was having a meltdown and was not feeling 100%. 

 

 

“As you felt the need to turn round and ask us to “shut that child up” This didn't help her anxiety levels or ours in trying to manage the situation. 

 

“Your behaviour and outburst was not helpful what so ever in helping to calm down our daughters anxiety. I hope social media helps for this post to find you to let you know that same little 8 year old girl ended up being taken to hospital by ambulance that evening as she became seriously unwell. Maybe you managed to get a good night sleep?”

 

Nicola’s post has garnered much attention, with people roundly criticising the woman’s intolerance and lack of empathy.  

 

We think this woman’s reaction shows not only the misconception that children with autism are naughty and can be easily calmed down, but a distinct lack of compassion for a struggling mum. We hope Nicola’s post finds her too, so she can have a deep, introspective think about why she behaved the way she did, and the effect it can have on a child with autism and their family.

 

SHARE to spread Nicola’s important post far and wide. 

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