The couple’s two young children at the time of this narration were William, age 10, and Edward, age 6.
Gemma Ryan, her spouse, and their children all reside in the UK.
William does have autism, while Edward now has Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD.
The ticks on both of the boys are particular because of their conditions. It’s common for kids to misbehave in public by making loud noises or flailing their arms erratically.
These ticks typically pay them a lot of attention, much of it unwanted. Gemma alleges that her sons have been subjected to strange looks, disparaging comments, and unfavorable evaluations.
In August 2016, Gemma took William and Edward to a nearby playground so the boys could have some fun and let off some steam.
Given that it being the holiday season, Gemma reasoned that there wouldn’t be as much activity or commotion.
She found it difficult to accept what had happened.
According to Gemma, the family started to experience verbal and even physical threats once William and Edward started to play.
Additionally, she asserts that the majority of it came from the other parents.
The UK is home to Gemma Ryan, her husband, and their two small sons. William is ten and Edward is 6.
On the surface, it looks that this charming family consistently experiences mistreatment from other parents.
Gemma is now speaking forward to share an issue that she and her children frequently deal with.
Both William and Edward have autism. Edward has also been diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette syndrome.
Ticks, such as making loud noises or flailing their arms, are regularly displayed by the boys.
Ticks typically elicit weird looks, disparaging words, and quick conclusions.
In August 2016, Gemma brought her kids to a playground in the neighborhood. She reasoned that because it being the holiday season, less people would be there, making it easier for them to play and prevent confrontation.
She asserts that the verbal abuse sharply increased as soon as William and Edward started to play.
According to Gemma, a mother had advised her to keep her child away from her “weird” guys, and she needed me to understand that they shouldn’t be there.
“I took Edward to the restroom while William played since I was convinced I was not going anywhere.
As her second child was playing with William, I overheard the woman in the bathroom telling her son that she needed to use the restroom right away so she could go back and not leave her other child unattended.
“I spoke to her and advised her to learn more about this kind of thing and that my son wasn’t unusual.
A different father and his child arrived ten minutes later. The boy instantly started playing with William before William put his arm over him.
The father lost control right away and started swearing, threatening to choke my son if he touched his child again.
Before being told to leave, he started bashing tables, and people stood up to support me.
Beneath me, my legs gave way. As I fell down on the floor sobbing and screaming, I had my kids in my arms.
Gemma had to work up the courage to take her boys back to the playground for one entire year.
She claims that while William is gradually realizing that he is different from others and that people frequently treat him differently, Edward is still too little to understand this.
To promote understanding and help autistic children feel more included and welcomed, Gemma and her spouse David arranged an autism festival.
The event, called Spectrum, featured superheroes, a quiet dance, and sensory activities.
There were around 1,000 attendees. At the event, William even performed a viral cover of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Nobody should feel lonely in 2018, Gemma contends.
Families, parents, and kids could go to the event knowing that no one would tsk or belittle them if their kid threw a fit.