Portland Parents

Getcher back into class!

No School

A ten-year-old autistic boy wandered away from his after-school program and ended up in another state without his teacher ever noticing that he was gone, according to the child’s upset mother.
KGW News

This is an excellent reason why all kids should either have name tags (“call if found…”, not “My name is Joe” ) or have their home info memorized. Looking at this map, however, it’s really surprising that he walked this far trying to get home. Look how far the school (mentioned in the article) is from the train tracks.

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Click Here for More Info on Autism

My objection then – and now – was in the way the family’s grief was put on display, was dramatized, became the focal point of the story. My problem then – and now – is in our collective willingness to wallow in the easy sentimentality instead of doing the hard work necessary to prevent another child’s loss.
My Whim is Law

The Tribune has been doing a terrific job of taking parents’ quotes out of context and emphasizing the effects of tragedies like this, but not such a good job of looking at the causes of these tragedies. Not that I would wish it on you, but if you’re ever in the position of talking to the Trib about your loss, I’d try to steer them to do some more indepth reporting.

No School